Erica Joyner, Author at In The States

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So far Erica Joyner has created 554 blog entries.

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.

Erica Joyner2026-02-12T17:57:26-05:00February 12, 2026|Louisiana|

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.

Erica Joyner2026-02-12T17:56:53-05:00February 12, 2026|Maine|

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.

Erica Joyner2026-02-12T17:56:24-05:00February 12, 2026|Missouri|

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.

Erica Joyner2026-02-12T17:55:09-05:00February 12, 2026|New Jersey|

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.

Erica Joyner2026-02-12T17:54:40-05:00February 12, 2026|North Carolina|

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.

Erica Joyner2026-03-10T15:06:09-04:00February 12, 2026|North Dakota|

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.

Erica Joyner2026-02-12T17:53:20-05:00February 12, 2026|Oregon|

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.

Erica Joyner2026-02-12T17:52:49-05:00February 12, 2026|Tennessee|

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.

Erica Joyner2026-02-12T17:52:16-05:00February 12, 2026|Washington|