Here are the most recent health care related regulatory developments as published in the New Jersey Register on January 2, 2018:

• On January 2, 2018 at 50 NJR 9, the Division of Consumer Affairs published notice of its proposal of amendments to its rules governing prescriptions filled for Gabapentin. The proposed amendments will require New Jersey licensed pharmacies and registered out-of-state pharmacies to electronically transmit information to the Division of Consumer Affairs about prescriptions for Gabapentin.

• On January 2, 2018 at 50 NJR 133, the Office of Children and Families published notice of its adoption of amendments to its rules regarding New Jersey Safe Haven Infant Protection Act procedures and requirements. Among other things, the amendments provide that the person who brings an infant to a police station, fire department, ambulance, hospital, or emergency department is not required to disclose his or her name or the name of the parent, provide any identifying or non-identifying information about the infant or birth family, or provide any background or medical information about the infant or birth family. The amendments also set forth the procedures that hospital staff must undertake if a safe haven infant is dropped off at the hospital. The amendments require the hospital to obtain information regarding the infant and document it in the infant’s medical chart; comply with any court order obtained by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (including any requirements for testing); notify the Division of Child Protection Permanency of the infant’s anticipated discharge date; and offer the person bringing the infant to the hospital’s services, medical care, or a referral for services, as appropriate.

• On January 2, 2018 at 50 NJR 198, the Department of Banking and Insurance published notice of its adoption of new rules governing pharmacy benefits managers. The new rules set forth the requirements for contracts between a pharmacy benefits manager and a contracted pharmacy, and requires pharmacy benefits managers to certify that new or existing contracts, upon renewal, comply with the requirements set forth in applicable law.

• On January 2, 2018 at 50 NJR 209, the State Board of Medical Examiners published notice of its adoption of amendments to its rules applicable to medical standards governing screening and diagnostic medical testing in practitioner offices. The amendments will implement additional requirements for the ordering and performance of specific tests.

• On January 2, 2018 at 50 NJR 212, the State Board of Nursing adopted amendments to its rules regarding applications for certified home health aide certification.

• On January 2, 2018 at 50 NJR 259, the Department of Health published notice of its cancellation of the Certificate of Need call for new home health agencies. The notice of cancellation indicated that the Department had collected encounter data for calendar years 2013, 2014 and 2015 from licensed home health agencies and calculated need projections to the year 2020 by region. Based upon its analysis, the Department has determined that there is not a sufficient need for additional home health agencies at this time.

• On January 2, 2018 at 50 NJR 260, the Department of Health published notice of a Certificate of Need call for new specialized long-term care beds for pediatric care.

• On January 2, 2018 at 50 NJR 260, the Department of Health published notice of a Certificate of Need call for new specialized long-term care beds for severe behavior management.

• On January 2, 2018 at 50 NJR 260, the Department of Health published notice of a Certificate of Need call for new specialized long-term care beds for ventilator care.

• On January 2, 2018 at 50 NJR 261, the Department of Health published notice of its postponement of its Certificate of Need call for maternal and child health services.