While the legislature is scheduled to adjourn their 60-day session on March 18, several bills of interest to pharmacies are pending.
SB 92, legislation that would allow a pharmacist to order, test, screen and treat for five enumerated conditions (COVID, influenza, group A strep pharyngitis, uncomplicated urinary tract infection, and HIV [limited to pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis]) as well as any other conditions of public health importance identified by the Department of Health, was amended in committee, and passed the Senate. The bill was referred to the House and is scheduled for a hearing in the House Health and Human Services Committee on March 10.
HB 451 is the PBM tiered reimbursement rate bill that was filed late and recently reported favorably from the House Health and Human Services Committee. It is currently pending in the House Appropriations and Finance Committee with a fiscal note.
SB 14, legislation regulating the practice of PBMs, was voted favorably from the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee, and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee for further action
HB 177, therapeutic interchange legislation that would allow pharmacists to change an initial prescription to comply with the health plan formulary, is on the House calendar awaiting a floor vote. HB 132 provides payment parity for mail order and retail pharmacies, is also awaiting a House floor vote.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.