January 28, 2008

Medicaid Tamper Proof Prescription Law

to Be Implemented April 1, 2008

The federal law that requires all Medicaid prescriptions to be written on “tamper-proof” prescription pads is scheduled to go into effect Tuesday, April 1, 2008.  You may recall the law was originally scheduled for implementation on October 1, 2007, but the implementation was delayed for six months.  Arkansas Medicaid is required to comply with this federal mandate.  To assist pharmacists and other providers, Medicaid will be sending out a letter that outlines the requirements for these prescription pads. 

For Medicaid prescriptions to be in compliance with this new law, they must be written on a “tamper-proof” prescription pad that contains one or more of the following features designed to:

·        Prevent unauthorized copying of a completed or blank prescription form;

·        Prevent the erasure or modification of information written on the prescription by the prescriber;

·        Prevent the use of counterfeit prescription forms (i.e. sequentially numbered blanks).

APA will continue to monitor the implementation of this law and will provide any additional information as it becomes available.

Combat Meth Re-certification Reminder

Last year pharmacies were required to self-certify with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to acknowledge they were familiar with the federal Combat Meth Act.  The same self certification process must be repeated annually to keep your Combat Meth Act certification current.  To re-certify your pharmacy visit the DEA’s website at www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/meth and click on “Retail Vendor Self Certification”

Former APA Exec Richard Beck

to Have Heart Surgery

APA has learned that former APA Executive Vice President Richard Beck will undergo surgery to repair a blockage in his coronary artery within the next several days.  Current APA Executive Vice President Mark Riley spoke to Richard to express his well wishes and prayers.  If you would like to send a card to Richard, his current address is below:

Richard Beck

c/o American Pharmacies

11322 Sir Winston, Ste B
San Antonio, Texas 78216