TFDS Elects new Officers and Board Members…. EPORT TO THE EXAS T The Texas Federation of Drug Stores elected new officers and board members at their annual meeting in Bastrop last month. Jay Bueche, RPh , Director of Third Party Affairs for H-E-B was elected to a two year term as president and Debbie Mack, RPh, Senior Director of Corporate Compliance for Walmart Pharmacies was elected as Secretary Treasurer. Newly elected members of the TFDS board include Marla Fielder of Kroger, Kim Parta PHARMACY CONGRESS of Albertsons and Lisa Glorioso of Brookshire Grocery Company, all elected to three year terms. Bonnie Richardson of Krogers and Ken Breda with Brookshire Brothers were also R elected to one and two year terms respectively. NOVEMBER 2014 NACDS & TFDS Invite Capitol Staff to Tour Immunizing Pharmacies… NACDS and TFDS co-sponsored a tour for Capitol staff of two pharmacies in Austin that provides immunizations in their facilities. About 12 staff from both House and Senate offices boarded a van at the Capitol and were transported to Randall’s and Walgreens pharmacies. The staff were briefed on current laws relating to pharmacist administered immunizations and our proposal to expand that practice to school age children. The tours culminated with a luncheon to continue the conversation and to answer questions. During the tour, two people received their flu shots. Important Dates & Upcoming Activities November 10th 1st Day to file legislation November 19th Third Texas Pharmacy Summit January 13th 1ST Day of the 84th Texas Legislature January 20th Swearing-in Ceremony for New Governor and Lt. Governor February 18th & 19th Texas Pharmacy Congress, Ft. Worth TFDS Headquarters 208 West 14th Street Austin, TX 78701 2014 Texas Election Update – Impact on Pharmacy… 2015 Priority Retail Pharmacy Legislative Issues This was supposed to be one of the most active races in Texas History. Pharmacy Legislation Every single statewide office has been held by a republican for two decades 1. Age limit for immunizations by pharmacist Allow pharmacist to provide flu shots and vaccinations to children and there had been little change over the years. But with Governor Rick Perry over 7 years of age decision to retire after 14 years as Governor, every single statewide officeholder decided to either seek higher office, or join him in retirement.For the first time 2. Doctor Dispensing Continue to oppose legislation that will allow physicians to in over 100 years - every statewide office from Governor to Railroad Commissioner dispense/sell prescription drugs directly to patients. will be held by someone new. 3. Pharmacist Provider Status Support legislation that will allow pharmacists to be receive Voter Registration - Voter registration in 2014 is up from 2012 (13.6M to about 14M), insurance reimbursement for patient services provided. but just by keeping pace with population growth. Voter turnout was down. Only 4.6 million Texans voted in this election, down from 4.9 million in 2012. Hispanic turnout was 4. Medicaid Reimbursement Continue to support higher reimbursement for dispensing fees and MTM, the same in 2014 as it was in 2012 with 17%. Total voter participation continues to be among the lowest in the country with only 33.3% of registered voters showing up at the polls. 5. PBM Reform Continue to support legislation that will enhance “any willing The Governor’s Race - Republican Attorney General Greg provider” provisions, prohibit transaction fees, quarantee access to Abbott won the day with 59% of the vote with democrat Wendy networks, regulate discount cards and regulate MAC pricing. Davis receiving only 39%. That’s one of the lowest vote 6. Interchange of BioSimilars Develop legislation to allow for the interchange of biosimilars totals of any democrat’s run for governor. without physician or patient notifications. Partisan Balance of Power –There will be a 7. Move the PMP program to the TSBP Move the PMP program from the DPS to the TSBP and eliminate record number of new Texas Senators in 2015 the current registration requirements. and the last three elections have produced a 66% turnover in the Texas House – but the Republican 8. Medication Synchronization Allow patients to synchronize their medication refills to reduce majority will not grow. It appears that the Republicans the number of visits to a pharmacy and to increase medication adherence. will pick up only one seat in the Senate (Wendy Davis’s Senate seat), and in the House, the Republicans will only gain three seats. The split in the Senate will now be 20R – 11D, and in the House 98R **** NEW Pharmacy Legislation Anticipated – 52D. The Texas Congressional Delegation will see one new republican making the partisan split 25Rs and 11Ds. 9. Sale of DXM to Minors The Consumer Health Products Association will introduce legislation to prohibit the sale of Dextromethorphan to minors New Faces – The Texas Senate will welcome a record number eight new Senators in 2015, which combined without a prescription. with the five from 2013 means that 42% of the Senate will have had only one sessions experience. The Texas House will see 25 freshmen representatives in 2015. The last two elections had already produced 74 new legislators 10. Dispensing of Naloxone Legislation will be introduced to allow a pharmacist to dispense so this session will have almost 100 house members who are fairly new. Naloxone to a third party for the emergency treatment of Opioid overdoses. The Elections Impact on Pharmacy… In addition to all of the new faces, new leadership will take over as well. A new Governor and Lt. Governor will certainly provide new opportunities and challenges and the current 11. Pharmacy Student Loan Initiative Legislation that will offer student loan assistance for pharmacy House Speaker, Joe Straus will need to appoint numerous new committee chairmen. Pharmacy has always spent students who are willing to serve in medically underserved areas. significant time briefing new legislators and staff on our issues and that process will need to continue..