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.
Oregon
The Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) posted its draft agenda and meeting materials for the February 18 meeting. Check the PDAB website for updates prior to the meeting. Register in advance.
Also in Oregon, the PDAB published its quarterly newsletter for January 2026. Past editions are available online.
Also in Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) published a temporary rule adopting the new version of the High-Cost Drug Carve-Out (HCDCO) List effective February 1. In September 2025, OHA leadership and the Governor’s office agreed to implement a number of changes effective January 2026 that would reduce costs and administrative burden for coordinated care organizations (CCOs). Starting January 1, 2026, select high-cost drugs are carved out from CCO capitation. This is referred to as the High-Cost Drug Carve-Out (HCDCO). OHA reviews prior authorization (PA) requests for HCDCO products. Approved treatments will be covered by OHA directly on a fee-for-service (FFS) basis according to FFS reimbursement rules. CCOs are responsible for everything else, including care coordination, drug administration, inpatient stays, transportation, etc. There are 47 drugs on the initial HCDCO List. They all have a high cost ($500k or more per member per year) and treat a rare condition that has few, if any, other treatment alternatives. New drugs requested for review may be added to the HCDCO List up to four times a year following the rulemaking process if they meet these criteria.
Finally in Oregon, the Department of Human Services announced a new resource to help promote food resources across the state. Individuals may visit NeedFood.Oregon.gov to find food resources near them.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Tennessee
The Department of Health recently released a “Dear Colleague” provider communication highlighting recent changes to the hepatitis B vaccine recommendations. Specifically, this communication emphasizes the severity of hepatitis B infection for infants and adolescents, as well as how hepatitis B often goes undiagnosed, which leads to a delay in treatment.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Washington
NACDS sent members a Call to Action for SSB 5924, legislation expanding pharmacist practice authority by allowing independent prescribing and diagnosis within a pharmacist’s scope of practice, determined by their individual training, education and experience. The amended bill on the Senate floor lists certain conditions that pharmacists, meeting defined educational and experiential criteria, are authorized to treat.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Wisconsin
The Department of Health Services (DHS) is forming a Rural Health Advisory Council to provide strategic guidance and input as the state advances its rural health implementation efforts. The advisory council will help inform how Wisconsin sets rural health priorities, designs programs and incorporates real-world provider and community perspectives into implementation strategies. Applications are due February 27.
DHS is seeking applicants from the following groups:
1. Individuals or Organizations Involved in Rural Health Service Delivery
This includes those who:
- Provide services in rural hospitals, rural health clinics, community health centers, long-term care facilities, local or Tribal health departments or county human services agencies
- Practice as individual providers in rural communities, including primary care and behavioral health providers, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, EMS professionals, community health workers and peer support specialists
- Represent organizations that support health care providers
2. Individuals With Lived Rural Health Experience
This includes individuals who receive care in rural Wisconsin through rural hospitals, rural health clinics, community health centers, long-term care facilities, local or Tribal health departments or county human services agencies.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Wyoming
Gov. Mark Gordon (R) announced that, last month, the state submitted a SNAP [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program] Food Restriction Demonstration Waiver to the US Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, marking a significant step toward strengthening nutrition outcomes for Wyoming families. Approved under Executive Order 2025-07, the waiver proposes a phased approach to limiting the purchase of certain non-nutritive items with SNAP benefits, beginning with sweetened, carbonated beverages in the first year, followed by candy in the second.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Rural Health Corner
Alaska: RHTP Funding Application Webinar Recap: This session focused on the state’s approach to implementing the RHTP Funding Application Process. The Alaska RHTP Funding Application Process Recap provides a thorough review of the webinar.
Some Key Highlights from the Webinar include:
- Alaska Community Foundation will administer grants to community partners
- The portal for Registration & Letter of Interest (LOI) will be open February 17 – March 11
- Registration Questions include:
- Project title
- Organizational contact information
- Organization’s total operating budget
- Organization’s Service Area (from drop-down list)
- Organization Type (from drop-down list)
- Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)
- LOI Components include:
- The problem or opportunity you hope to address
- Alignment to the Alaska RHTP Initiatives
- Sense of readiness, timing and resources needed
- Potential partner
Webinar Resources
- 021026-rhtp-funding-application-process-slide-deck.pdf
- Q&A: RHTP Funding Application Process (February 10, 2026)
- Alaska Funding Application Process Webinar 2-10-2026
- RHTP Funding Application Process Recap
For more information on Alaska’s RHTP, please visit:
Rural Health Transformation Program | State of Alaska | Department of Health
or email the following:
Program Questions: RHTP@alaska.gov
Portal Questions: RHTP@alaskacf.org
NACDS has launched a biweekly Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Workgroup Meeting Series to support member engagement and strategic participation as states advance program implementation.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.
Alaska
The Department of Health (DOH) is hosting an informational Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) webinar on February 10 from 1:00 pm -2:00 pm AKST, focused on the application process. This webinar is for healthcare providers, Tribes and Tribal Health Organizations, community-based organizations, local governments, workforce and education partners and others interested in participating in RHTP. Be sure to register in advance.
Also in Alaska, the Board of Pharmacy's quarterly meeting is on Zoom on February 9 and 10. All members of the public that will be attending the meeting will need to preregister. The agenda and meeting materials will be available on the Board's website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
California
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Pharmacy proposed adding Title 16 CCR § 1717.11, related to Remote Processing.
Any person who wishes to comment on the proposed text may do so by submitting written comments beginning January 9 and ending on February 24 to the following:
Contact Person: Debbie Damoth
Agency Name: California State Board of Pharmacy
Address: 2720 Gateway Oaks Drive, Ste 100 Sacramento, CA 95833
Email: PharmacyRulemaking@dca.ca.gov
Fax: (916) 574-8618
Any responses to comments directly concerning the proposed addition of the text of the regulation will be considered and responded to in the Final Statement of Reasons.
Please send your comments on the proposed text to Sandra Guckian by close of business on February 9.
Also in California, as part of the Board's actions during the January 26-27 Board meeting, the Board approved a policy statement related to Pharmacy Intern Hours Earned Outside of Formal Experiential Training. The Pharmacy wishes to provide licensees with information on its policy related to this transition.
Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy issued the following information regarding "Corresponding Responsibility Considerations for Dispensing Buprenorphine".
State and Federal law establish that pharmacists share a corresponding responsibility with prescribers to ensure controlled substances are dispensed solely for a legitimate medical purpose and within the bounds of professional practice. Because buprenorphine is most often prescribed for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD), its therapeutic intent should be a key part of the pharmacist's evaluation. Pharmacists are legally required to verify the legitimacy of the prescriber and the appropriateness of the prescription. This assessment should reflect buprenorphine's established role in preventing withdrawal, reducing cravings, supporting long-term recovery and lowering rates of overdose, emergency department visits, hospitalizations and death.
Research consistently shows that access to buprenorphine is protective. Given the clinically significant distinctions in buprenorphine's use, pharmacists are obligated to balance vigilance for potential concerns with an understanding that delaying or denying buprenorphine can expose patients with OUD to serious harm.
Pharmacists should also be aware that commonly cited indicators of potentially fraudulent controlled substance prescriptions do not always translate well to buprenorphine used for OUD treatment. Long travel distances, telehealth prescribing, cash payment, early refills or use of multiple pharmacies often reflect limited availability of prescribers or pharmacies, particularly in rural or underserved areas, rather than misuse or diversion. Because interruptions in buprenorphine therapy can increase the risk of relapse and overdose, pharmacists are encouraged to take these access challenges into account, communicate with prescribers when questions arise and support continuity of care when prescriptions are determined to be legitimate.
Additional resources are available to assist pharmacists in identifying practice considerations, including "The Pharmacy Access to Resources and Medication
for Opioid Use Disorder (PhARM-OUD) Guideline, A Joint Consensus Practice Guideline from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy and the National Community Pharmacists Association."
Finally in 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.
Florida
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced the appointment of Leigh Mathes, Mark Mikhael and Darrell Miller and the reappointment of Jonathan Hickman, Cristina Medina, Dorinda Segovia and Stephen “Ryan” West to the Board of Pharmacy. These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Georgia
Gov. Brian P. Kemp (R) declared a statewide State of Emergency in response to Winter Storm Gianna. This is a separate executive order from the one issued on January 22 ahead of Winter Storm Fern. Governor Kemp also directed the Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) to activate the State Operations Center (SOC). The current State of Emergency will run through February 6.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Idaho
According to the Rural Health Transformation Team within the Department of Health and Welfare, funding opportunities will be released in summer 2026 following the state’s Procurement laws and policies. For more information, please visit the Department of Administration State Division of Purchasing webpage.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Maine
The state received official notification from CMS of a $190 million award for Year 1 of the federal Rural Health Transformation Program. The award will support the state’s efforts to expand access to care, improve population health, strengthen the rural health workforce, advance technology and data integration and promote the long-term sustainability of rural health systems statewide. Supporting materials to Maine’s application for funding through the Rural Health Transformation Program are available, including the Summary of Maine’s RHTP Plan and the updated State of Maine RHTP Project Narrative. For more information, visit the Rural Health Transformation Program website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Minnesota
The Department of Health (MDH) announced it provided the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) with the first list of drugs that meet the statutory criteria for potential cost review. In total, MDH reported that 1,083 prescription drug products met at least one of the statutory criteria—and many drugs met multiple criteria or the same criterion multiple times. The statutory criteria include thresholds for significant price increases (such as price increases exceeding 15% in a year) and expensive drugs (such as prices of more than $60,000 per year or course of treatment). The PDAB was established to conduct cost reviews of prescription drug products and has authority to set payment limits. The Board began its work in 2024 and is comprised of seven voting members appointed by the Governor and two nonvoting legislative members.
To learn more about the PDAB, to attend a public meeting of the PDAB, or to submit comments to the PDAB, please visit the PDAB website. Stakeholders interested in receiving announcements on prescription drug price transparency at MDH may subscribe to Prescription Drug Price Transparency updates.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.