Alaska
On February 16, the House Labor and Commerce Committee held a hearing on HB 195, a bill carried over from last year that would allow pharmacists to provide patient care services within the scope of their education, training and experience. The bill was amended and reported favorably to the House Finance Committee for further consideration.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Arkansas
Gov. Sarah Huckaby Sanders (R) reappointed Brian Jolly to the Board of Pharmacy. His term expires June 30, 2031.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
California
The Department of Health Care Service posted the following on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Indiana
This week, NACDS closely monitored the House Ways and Means Committee’s actions regarding HB 1.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Kansas
Two major bills that could change the practice of pharmacy were voted on this week:
The Senate voted on SB 360, a PBM reform bill that would bring transparency to PBMs, including:
- Ending spread pricing: PBMs would no longer be allowed to charge insurers or employers more than they pay pharmacies for the same prescription.
- Fair reimbursement: Pharmacies would be paid NADAC + $10.50 (or the state Medicaid rate, whichever is higher).
- Lower costs for patients and employers: Savings would go back to health plans, employers and patients instead of being kept by PBMs.
- State oversight: PBMs would be regulated by the Kansas Department of Insurance.
The House voted on HB 2676, allowing for emergency refills for non-controlled medications, and adding pharmacist prescribing in the four categories below:
- Conditions not requiring a new diagnosis, such as preventive care and chronic disease management
- Conditions that are minor and self-limiting such as hair loss, acne, head lice
- Conditions that have a CLIA-waived test to guide next steps, such as respiratory viruses
- Patient emergencies, such as epinephrine, beta agonists, glucagon
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Michigan
The Board of Pharmacy posted agendas for the March 2 full Board and Disciplinary Subcommittee meetings.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
New Jersey
Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D) issued a news release announcing that she signed Executive Order No. 13, temporarily extending the State of Emergency declared pursuant to Gov. Phil Murphy’s (D) COVID-era Executive Order No. 103 for an additional 45 days. This will allow nurse practitioners and physician assistants more time to enter into delegation agreements with physicians so they can continue to prescribe medications. The State of Emergency, previously set to expire at 5:00 pm on February 16, will now expire at 5:00 pm on April 2.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
North Carolina
Jay Ludlam is leaving his role as Deputy Secretary of Medicaid to move into a new role as Plan President with Molina Healthcare. Melanie Bush will serve as Interim Deputy Secretary, providing continuity and experienced leadership during the transition. Bush currently serves as the Assistant Secretary of Medicaid.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
North Dakota
Medicaid contracted with Myers and Stauffer to conduct a pharmacy cost of dispensing survey. The survey results will be used to evaluate the Medicaid pharmacy reimbursement methodology. To help prepare pharmacy owners and managers to participate in the survey, Myers and Stauffer, will be conducting informational meetings via telephonic/internet-based webinars. At these meetings, Myers and Stauffer will present more details about the survey process, discuss what information is being requested, and answer questions regarding completing the survey form. Pharmacies are invited to attend one of the informational meetings.
Attendance at one of the webinar sessions requires a reservation.
- Please call or email Myers and Stauffer for a reservation and further meeting details:
- Phone: 1-800-591-1183 or
- Email: disp_survey@mslc.com
Webinar Times
- February 26 at 8:00 am CT
- March 3 at 4:00 pm CT
The survey was mailed to pharmacies on February 17 and must be returned no later than March 31.
Please find the electronic version of the survey, instructional letter and other important documents at North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services Provider Portal | Myers & Stauffer
It is very important that all pharmacies cooperate fully by filing an accurate cost survey. Pharmacies are encouraged to return the required information as soon as possible.
Please contact the Myers and Stauffer help desk by email disp_survey@mslc.com or phone 1-800-591-1183.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Ohio
The Senate Health Committee met on February 18 and heard proponent testimony on SB 230, legislation that would allow pharmacists to test and treat patients with common illnesses. NACDS attended the hearing, submitted written testimony and helped coordinate testimony with members and in-state partners. The bill is necessary for the state to move forward with the pharmacy initiatives in its Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) plan. We expect the bill to advance this spring. Senate Health Committee Chair Steve Huffman (R) recently authored a Columbus Dispatch column highlighting the importance of passing legislation related to the RHTP.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Pennsylvania
The Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda and instructions for participating in its February 24 meeting.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Tennessee
The Department of Commerce and Insurance’s new audit of CVS Caremark details extensive violations of the state’s PBM laws, which spans discriminatory reimbursement, banned spread pricing and appeals noncompliance. CVS Caremark has 30 days to comply with the findings, after which the matter will be referred to legal services. The Tennessee Pharmacy Association issued this statement of the findings.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Washington
The state’s standard of care legislation, SSB 5924, expands pharmacists’ practice authority by allowing independent prescribing and diagnosis within their scope of practice, based on education and experience. The bill was approved by the full Senate on February 17 and now advances to the House for further consideration.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
California
The Board of Pharmacy is sponsoring a training program, “Inspection Expectations, Diversion Trends, Loss Prevention, Legal Updates and CURES,” on March 5 via WebEx. Pharmacists who participate will receive six hours of continuing education (CE) credit. The event is free, but space is limited and preregistration is required. The board has transitioned its registration and CE certification to its new learning management system PharmEd. To register for the event, you will need to create an account in PharmEd if you do not already have one. Training attendees who do not use PharmEd will not be given CE credit.
For information on how to register for the event, visit the Board’s website, scroll down to “Information for Licensees,” and click on “Free CE Training Registration”.
For questions about the event, email the Board.
Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy provided a sample “How to File a Complaint” notice to assist licensees in complying with Business and Professions Code section 4113.6(c). Pursuant to this section, A chain community pharmacy is required to post, in a location determined by the business to be prominent and accessible to pharmacy personnel, a notice that provides information on how to file a complaint with the Board. This notice is intended for pharmacy personnel and not for consumers. Pharmacies may use the sample notice provided by the Board or develop their own notice and determine an appropriate posting location that is prominent and accessible, if the notice complies with the requirements outlined in the Pharmacy Lawbook under Business and Professions Code Staffing requirements for chain community pharmacy section 4113.6(c).
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Delaware
Gov. Matt Meyer (D) announced Requests for Proposals (RFPs) are now open for four initiatives under Delaware’s plan to overhaul health care in every community. All Requests for Proposals are available at bids.delaware.gov. Eligible organizations are encouraged to review RFPs and submit applications in accordance with posted timelines and requirements. The newly released RFPs represent the first competitive funding opportunities following Delaware’s successful federal Rural Health Transformation Program award and advance projects focused on access, prevention and chronic disease management and workforce development. Additional RFPs are expected to be released in the spring.
Open Requests for Proposals:
Delaware Medical School: Competitive funding to support start-up costs for Delaware’s first four-year medical school, focused on building a sustainable pipeline of primary care physicians committed to rural practice.
School-Based Health Centers: Competitive funding to support new school-based health centers in rural elementary and middle schools, delivering physical, behavioral and preventive health care services directly to students and families with four new centers with the goal of seeing 400 patients by year three.
Food Is Medicine: Competitive funding to establish sustainable Food Is Medicine infrastructure that integrates nutrition-based interventions into rural health care delivery, improving outcomes for residents managing chronic disease while supporting long-term reimbursement strategies.
Rural Community Health Hubs: Competitive funding for mobile health units and other community-based access points delivering preventive, chronic disease, behavioral health and specialty services directly to rural communities with the goal of conducting 1,500 yearly encounters by year three.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Indiana
HB 1358 is the Department of Health’s bill which includes a provision changing the statewide standing order for the dispensing of a smoking cessation products to a tobacco, vaping or nicotine cessation product.
Also in Indiana, SB 157, a bill that requires pharmacies to disclose at the point-of-sale the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) on generics, was amended in the Senate to exempt hospitals and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). The bill passed Senate and was assigned to House Public Health Committee.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Iowa
The Department of Appeals and Licensing published its Pharma Phacts Newsletter (February 2026). Highlights include the following:
- New Jurisprudence Exam Starts April 1, 2026
- Prescription Management Program (PMP) Updates
- Compliance Corner
- Reminder to Keep License Profile Updated?
- Notification of Change of Pharmacist in Charge
- FDA Warns of Counterfeit Ozempic in US Drug Supply Chain
- Retatrutide in Iowa
- Reminder of Actions to Take After Identification of Fraudulent Controlled Substance Prescription
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Kansas
SB 360, as amended by the Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee on February 6, requires PBMs to charge health benefit plans the same price for a prescription drug as they pay to pharmacies. The bill also establishes a reimbursement rate floor for pharmacies, mandating payment of no less than the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) plus a professional dispensing fee of $10.50.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Kentucky
NACDS reminds members that the long-awaited pharmacy cost of dispensing study required by SB 188 of 2024, a landmark law that will require a pharmacy reimbursement rate floor in the commercial market, has been delivered to pharmacies and is due back by February 28. The study will be used by the Department of Insurance to determine the pharmacy dispensing fee that commercial insurers will be required to pay in combination with NADAC. It is critical for pharmacies to complete this survey, to establish an accurate dispensing fee that sets a precedent for future actions across the states. Data must be submitted electronically through the Board’s Licensure Gateway using Form A (required) and Form B (optional). All community and specialty pharmacies that are open to the public are required to submit their cost of dispensing data using Form A. For additional details and guidance, members are encouraged to review the Board of Pharmacy’s December newsletter.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Louisiana
The Board of Pharmacy will post the agenda for its quarterly meeting on February 25.
Also in Louisiana, on February 26, the Board of Pharmacy will be solicitating comments on several regulatory projects proposed rule changes, including Remote Access by a Pharmacy Technician. This proposal would amend Section 1145 of the Board’s rules concerning remote access to prescription drug orders, medical orders and chart orders by including pharmacy technicians among those authorized under the rule.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Maine
The Department of Health and Human Services’ Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) reported the first case of measles in the state since 2019. The Maine CDC confirmed the case on February 5. The individual is an adult from Penobscot County who recently traveled to a state with measles cases.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Missouri
The House Health and Mental Health Committee held a hearing on two PBM reform bills supported by pharmacies. HB 1975, by Rep. Bennie Cook (R), provides for network adequacy and prohibits below-cost reimbursement. HB 1850, by Rep. John Hewkin (R), governs audits and beefs up enforcement provisions.
Also in Missouri, Rep. Bennie Cook (R) filed HB 1976, an immunization clean-up bill that removes the January 1, 2023 date, and excludes any vaccine that is jointly excluded by joint rules promulgated by the Board of Pharmacy and the State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts. The bill has not yet been assigned to a committee.
Also in Missouri, SB 878, legislation expanding the pharmacists scope of practice filed by Sen. Travis Fitzwater (R), was unanimously approved by the Senate Families, Seniors and Health Committee on February 4. Current law allows certain pharmacists to provide certain medication therapy services under a statewide order issued by the Director or the Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Health and Senior Services. The bill would eliminate the standing order and authorize pharmacists’ medication therapy services pursuant to rules established by the Board of Pharmacy and the State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts jointly promulgate rules to implement this provision within six months of the effective date of this act. In addition, it would allow pharmacists to prescribe durable medical equipment. The bill is pending action by the Senate.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
New Jersey
As a reminder, before departing office, former Gov. Phil Murphy (D) rescinded Executive Order 415, a COVID-era measure that allowed advanced practice nurses (APNs) and physician assistants (PAs) to prescribe without a collaborative agreement with a physician. The recission is effective February 16. NACDS cautions members to be aware of this change in policy when filling prescriptions from non-physician providers. APNs and PAs have received notifications from their governing boards.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
North Carolina
Medicaid will be launching a new Pharmacy Benefit Administrator (PBA) on May 2. As part of this transition, the pharmacy component of NCTracks will be decommissioned and moved to the new PBA operated by Prime Therapeutics. Beginning May 2, the new PBA will process Point-of-Sale pharmacy claims for Medicaid Direct.
The Managed Care Plans will continue to operate as they do today. There is no change to their PBM or Point-of-Sale pharmacy processing. This transition only impacts beneficiaries utilizing Medicaid Direct.
To support a smooth transition, there will be a series of provider education webinars:
- Provider Webinar #1 (Hosted by Prime): Scheduled for March 20, this session will focus on high-level PBA transition information and include a live system demo from Prime Therapeutics.
- Provider Webinar #2: Tentatively planned for April 21, this session will provide a deeper dive into operational functions of the Prime PBA and address any hot topics identified during the first webinar.
For more information, visit the PBA website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
North Dakota
CMS has until the end of February to approve the state’s revised budget. The state cannot release funds until it receives CMS’ approval. After receiving CMS’ approval, the Department of Health and Human Services (ND HHS) will begin releasing different funding opportunities in phases. The first grant funding opportunity may be released in late February or early March, depending on the timing of CMS’ approval. As each funding opportunity becomes available, the application and other materials will be posted on the ND HHS’ Rural Health Transformation website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.