California
The Board of Pharmacy released its May 2026 News Roundup, providing updates on recent regulatory developments and Board activities.
Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:
- Reminder: Include ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Codes on Pharmacy Claims
- Mass Adjustment for Member Eligibility Data That Impacted Claim Funding for Claims Submitted March 10, 2022, through October 5, 2025 – Second Group
- Mass Adjustment for Incremental Fills for DEA Schedule II Drugs for Impacted Claims with a Date of Service from January 1, 2022, through September 30, 2024
- Mass Adjustment for Member Eligibility Data that Impacted Claim Funding for Claims Submitted March 10, 2022, through October 5, 2025
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Colorado
HB 26-1336, legislation NACDS supported that expands access to pharmacy healthcare services and authorizes payment for these services, was sent to Gov. Jared Polis (D) to sign into law. The bill enables children 12 years of age and under to receive test-and-treat services directly from pharmacies. It also allows pharmacy technicians, under pharmacist supervision, to perform final product verification and other technical, non-discretionary tasks.
Finally in Colorado, the General Assembly will adjourn sine die on May 13
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Geogia
Gov. Brian Kemp (R) signed SB 195. Effective July 1, 2026, the bill authorizes pharmacists to dispense preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV prevention without a prescription, subject to conditions and training requirements.
Also in Georgia, State Rep. Jon Burns (R), Speaker of the House of Representatives, announced study committee assignments, including appointments to the House Study Committee on Pharmacy Benefits Managers and Consumers’ Access to Prescription Medications. The committee includes several members with significant healthcare and pharmacy policy experience, including pharmacist Rep. Ron Stephens (R), who will serve as chair, along with pharmacist Rep. Butch Parrish (R), Rep. Matt Hatchett (R), Rep. Lee Hawkins (R) and Rep. Debbie Buckner (D). NACDS will continue to monitor the study committee schedule and keep members informed of developments and committee activity.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Idaho
On May 8, the Board of Pharmacy posted a notice of an upcoming Board member vacancy for one pharmacist member. Board members are appointed by the Governor for a five-year term and meet each quarter in-person at the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses’ headquarters to conduct Board business.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Kansas
HB 2068, an omnibus bill incorporating key pharmacy-supported provisions from HB 2676, HB 2740, SB 322 and SB 431, passed both legislative chambers and was signed into law by Gov. Laura Kelly (D). The bill expands pharmacists’ prescribing authority under standard of care regulations and permits remote pharmacy services by pharmacy technicians.
Also in Kansas, SB 20 known as the Kansas Consumer Prescription Protection and Accountability Act, was signed by Gov. Laura Kelly (D). The PBM reform bill gives the Insurance Commissioner increased enforcement authority to regulate PBMs, establishes a rate floor of NADAC plus the Medicaid professional dispensing fee rate of at least $10.50 for all pharmacies, mandates that drug rebates pass through to health plans and bans spread pricing.
Finally in Kansas, the Department of Health and Environment (Medicaid) issued a provider bulletin 26030 announcing the adult immunizations reimbursement rate increased on 14 vaccinations, effective April 1, 2026.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Louisiana
SB 401, legislation that creates the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) within the Department of Insurance to improve transparency and control drug prices, passed the Senate and was referred to the House for further action. The bill requires an annual report on drug pricing trends and highlights drugs with high prices relative to other states, countries and their own production and research costs, thereby increasing accountability and guiding state healthcare policy.
Also in Louisiana, HB 1236, legislation that passed the House, requires PBMs to reimburse independent pharmacies using the NADAC and a professional dispensing fee, at least equal to the state’s Medicaid dispensing fee. The bill was amended on the Senate floor last week. NACDS is working on an amendment so that the rate floor reimbursement includes our members.
Finally in Louisiana, another PBM reform bill, HB 938, passed the House and was referred to the Senate Insurance Committee. The bill requires PBMs to reimburse local pharmacies at least their drug acquisition cost plus a Medicaid-level dispensing fee, bans below-cost payments and prohibits increasing patient copays after claims are processed. The law also requires PBMs to share claim data with regulators and is retroactive to January 1, 2026.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Maryland
Gov. Wes Moore (D) signed SB 773/HB 1135, companion bills authorizing pharmacists to order vaccinations for individuals 3 years of age or older without needing to administer the vaccine themselves. This change supports the dispensing of self-administered or caregiver-administered vaccines, such as the nasal spray flu vaccines.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Michigan
The Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is soliciting comments from the public on the Medicaid Health Plan Common Formulary, which applies to managed care organization (MCO) claims. The public may submit comments by June 12 on the drugs included or not included on the Common Formulary, new drug products, prior authorization criteria, step therapy criteria and other topics related to drug coverage under the Common Formulary.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Missouri
SB 878, legislation expanding pharmacists’ scope authority for CLIA-waived tests, ordering and administering vaccines and allowing for prescribing certain types of medical equipment, passed both houses and was sent to Gov. Mike Kehoe (R).
Finally in Missouri, the General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn on May 15.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Nevada
The Board of Pharmacy’s next hybrid meeting is on June 3 and 4 in Las Vegas.
Also in Nevada, the Board of Pharmacy will hold a Public Hearing on June 4 to discuss the Proposed Rule regulating workforce, establishing certain requirements governing the staffing of certain pharmacies, including revising the number of pharmaceutical technicians or pharmaceutical technicians in training that a pharmacist is authorized to supervise, depending on the type of pharmacy in which the pharmacist is working.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Oklahoma
NACDS sent Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) a letter urging him to sign SB 1565, a bill aimed at expanding maternal health and nutrition services for SoonerCare Medicaid beneficiaries through better access to “Food is Medicine” interventions.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Ohio
The Board of Pharmacy distributed a notice announcing that on June 9, they will activate a PMP [Prescription Monitoring Program] Gateway feature called provider authorization. On that date anyone without an active Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System (OARRS) user account or an account with missing or inaccurate information will lose access. Please refer to the notice for instructions on how to update or create an account.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Oregon
The Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) posted its agenda materials for the May 20 meeting. Check the PDAB website for updates prior to the meeting. Register in advance.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Pennsylvania
The Department of Insurance (PID) announced the launch of a new online portal specifically for pharmacies to submit complaints related to the enforcement of Act 77, the 2024 PBM commercial market reform law. The new portal is intended to create a single, streamlined submission form that collects all required information and allows pharmacies to file complaints related to clawbacks, steering, rebates, reimbursement and specialty drug designations. NACDS encourages members to test the portal and share your feedback with Jill McCormack.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
South Carolina
Federal law requires all providers who order, refer or prescribe (ORP) services or items for Medicaid members to be enrolled in respective state Medicaid programs. Currently, pharmacists are notified at point of sale if prescriptions were written by a non-enrolled Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) provider with the statement “prescriber enrollment is required in SC’s Medicaid program.” Pharmacists that dispense vaccines and naloxone through South Carolina protocols without a prescription are required to be enrolled in South Carolina’s Healthy Connections Medicaid program. Please refer to information provided by the South Carolina Pharmacy Association.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
California
The Department of Health Care Services posted the following on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Colorado
HB26-1336, legislation that expands access to pharmacy healthcare services and authorizes payment for these services for both Medicaid and commercial patients, passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and awaits a final vote by the Senate. The bill enables children 12 years of age and under to receive test-and-treat services directly from pharmacies. It also allows pharmacy technicians, under pharmacist supervision, to perform final product verification and other technical, non-discretionary tasks.
Also in Colorado, the Board of Pharmacy released Volume 18, Winter 2026 and Volume 19, Spring 2026 of its newsletter providing updates on regulatory developments and Board activities.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Connecticut
HB 5375 was passed by the Legislature this week and is expected to be signed into law by Gov. Ned Lamont (D). The legislation, which has been an NACDS priority for the 2026 session, prohibits an insurance carrier from denying pharmacy reimbursement based solely on a provider’s license type for any “covered clinical service” that falls within a pharmacist’s scope and is otherwise eligible for reimbursement when performed by a physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Florida
The Department of Health announced a new licensure experience for health care practitioners on April 29.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Kansas:
HB 2068, an omnibus bill incorporating key pharmacy-supported provisions from HB 2676, HB 2740, SB 322 and SB 431, passed both legislative chambers and was signed into law by Governor Laura Kelly (D). The bill expands pharmacists’ prescribing authority under standard of care regulations and permits remote pharmacy services by pharmacy technicians.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Maryland
The Prescription Drug Advisory Board is soliciting comments on proposed revisions to COMAR 14.01.04 (cost study process). Written comments are due by 12:00 noon on May 8 to pdab.regs@maryland.gov. For more information, visit the Board’s website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Minnesota
Last week, CMS approved the state’s application to direct a state-funded supplemental dispensing fee of $4.50 to pharmacies not owned by a PBM and located in HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration) medically underserved areas. The $4.50 per prescription payments apply to Medicaid Managed Care prescriptions filled on or after July 1, 2025. The program is a result of a 2025 state budget provision NACDS helped develop as a safety net for pharmacies until cost-based reimbursement is implemented under the Single PBM model. NACDS will continue collaborating with the Department of Health and Human Services while they develop the state’s application and disbursement procedures, with an eye on maximizing member participation. In addition, NACDS is supporting current legislation that would amend the law to continue the payments until the Single PBM delayed implementation date in 2028.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Nevada
The Board of Pharmacy’s next hybrid meeting is on June 3 and 4 in Las Vegas.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
North Carolina
Medicaid announced the NC Medicaid Pharmacy Benefits Administrator (PBA) system has successfully gone live. As you begin submitting POS claims, please note that the new PBA system strictly adheres to NCPDP requirements. Pharmacies are strongly encouraged to refer to the Payer Specification when submitting POS claims to ensure claims are billed correctly in alignment with NCPDP standards. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Prime Pharmacy Call Center at 844‑620‑6116.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Ohio
The results of the primary election held May 5 are as follows:
- Republican Vivek Ramaswamy won the Gubernatorial by over 85% of the vote. He, along with his Lt. Gov running mate Rob McColley will face Democrat Amy Acton in the general election. Acton and her running mate, David Pepper, ran unopposed.
- Republican Keith Faber, current State Auditor and former President of the Ohio Senate, ran unopposed for Attorney General and will face Democratic nominee John Kulewicz in November.
- General Assembly incumbents all won their elections.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.