Latebreakers: CMS moves forward with tamper-resistant pad rule

CMS has announced its intention to implement a new rule requiring tamper-resistant prescription pads for Medicaid Rxs beginning Oct. 1. In a letter to state Medicaid officials just six weeks before the deadline, CMS offered the first clarification of what a tamper-resistant Rx pad must contain. According to the guidance, to be considered tamper-resistant, an Rx pad must contain at least one "industry-recognized feature" to prevent erasure, modification, or counterfeit prescription forms, or other industry-recognized design features. Pharmacy industry groups, and more than 70 medical organizations, which have been lobbying to delay the rule's implementation, expressed their frustration. NCPA CEO Bruce Roberts insisted the rule "creates unnecessary hardships for community pharmacies," while John Gans, APhA CEO, asked: "How can we expect a national program to be implemented in a few weeks when it took months for states to implement similar programs?"