Complete Story
Ohio wins BIG!
OPA Wins Big In Budget!
OPA was successful in having the supplemental dispensing fees and the single PBM in the budget just signed by Governor DeWine! The Ohio Department of Medicaid will implement a tiered supplemental dispensing fee, and we will let you know more as we find out the details. We thank Senator Matt Dolan for his work to ensure this fee was part of the budget. We estimate a total of $50 million in additional fees will be distributed to pharmacies in fiscal years 2022 and 2023. Please thank your senator and representative for supporting this important improvement to pharmacy Medicaid reimbursement.
We also are pleased that the medicaid managed care plan is still in place, and a single PBM should be announced to begin in 2022. More information will be provided soon.
NEW Dextromethorphan Restrictions Take Effect September 30, 2021
House Bill 9 introduced by Representative Kyle Koehler (R-Springfield) was recently signed by Governor Mike DeWine. The legislation prohibits the sale of dextromethorphan to those that are under the age of 18 without a prescription
Beginning September 30, 2021, Ohio law will prohibit a retailer from knowingly supplying, delivering, giving, or otherwise providing a drug containing any quantity of dextromethorphan to a person under 18, unless the person has a prescription for the product being purchased.
The law requires a person selling dextromethorphan to request proof of age and identity from the purchaser unless the purchaser’s outward appearance is such that the seller can reasonably presume the purchaser is 25 or older. Additionally, the act makes it a minor misdemeanor to provide dextromethorphan to a person under the age of 18.
House Bill 9 does provide a qualified civil immunity provision that a retailer or an employee of a retailers is not liable for civil damages arising from failing to prevent the sale of dextromethorphan to a person under 18, unless the failure constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.
