Erica Joyner, Author at In The States

New York

The state’s Department of Health provided notice to pharmacies that NYRx, the state Medicaid pharmacy benefit program, had changes to over the counter (OTC) drugs.

Effective April 1, NYRx will remove the following products from the List of Reimbursable Drugs:

Cough and Cold Products: Oxymetazoline, Phenylephrine
Gastrointestinal Products: Simethicone
Anti-hypoglycemics: Glucose Tablets
Dermatologicals: Neomycin, Bacitracin
Multivitamins: For members aged 21 years and up

Impact on Providers and Patients

Transition to Alternative Therapies: Providers are encouraged to discuss these changes with their patients. Alternative treatment options are available for medically necessary use. For example, alternatives to oxymetazoline or phenylephrine may include other decongestants or nasal corticosteroids that offer more effective management of nasal congestion.
Patient Education: NYRx has notified members of these changes. Additionally, provider education to patients about these formulary changes is helpful and provide safer and more effective alternatives. Ensuring that patients understand the rationale behind these changes and the benefits of alternative therapies is essential for a smooth transition.
Adjusting Prescribing Practices: Given these changes, providers may need to modify their prescribing practices. Staying informed about which medications remain covered and considering the most appropriate therapies for patients’ needs will be crucial. The New York Medicaid list of reimbursable drugs is available online.

NYRx is committed to continuously monitoring medication utilization and effectiveness to ensure that the OTC formulary remains aligned with evidence-based practices.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

Erica Joyner2025-03-13T15:52:16-04:00March 13, 2025|New York|

NACDS sponsored the Oklahoma Pharmacy Day at the Capitol, this week where more than 200 pharmacists, interns and students from all practice settings gathered wearing white coats to spend the day advocating for the profession.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Erica Joyner2025-03-13T15:51:17-04:00March 13, 2025|Oklahoma|

Oregon

The Prescription Drug Affordability Board posted it is agenda for the February 19 meeting. Register here in advance.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

Erica Joyner2025-03-13T15:50:28-04:00March 13, 2025|Oregon|

Texas

Rep. Tom Oliverson (R) filed HB 4533, a Medicaid managed care organization rate floor bill for retail and specialty pharmacies.

Also in Texas, Rep. James Frank (R) filed HB 4051, a test-and-treat bill for flu, strep, COVID and minor, uncomplicated infections. The bill also includes provisions for doctor dispensing.

Also in Texas, last week, the Texas Pharmacy Association and the Texas Pharmacy Business Council testified in support of SB 1122 at the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. This legislation codifies Attorney General Ken Paxton’s February 5, 2025, opinion letter regarding the enforceability of existing laws against health benefit plans and PBMs administering the pharmacy benefits on behalf of an ERISA plan in certain circumstances that do not dictate plan choice or add requirements to a beneficiary’s status. The Texas Association of Business and the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) testified in opposition to SB 1122, falsely claiming that it would impose costs to employer-sponsored ERISA health plans of over $5 billion over the next decade. Since Texas is business-friendly, several Senators expressed concerns about rising costs to small businesses. The bill was left pending in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

Finally in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) notified state agencies to transition remote workers back to the office to ensure the efficient use of taxpayer dollars and that state agencies remain engaged and effective in serving the public.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Erica Joyner2025-03-13T15:49:49-04:00March 13, 2025|Texas|

Virginia

NACDS issued a NACDS RxIMPACT action alert for SB 875 and HB 2610, and urges members with operations in the Commonwealth to contact Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) to express how critical these bills are to patient access and pharmacy viability. Should he sign the bills, Virginia would join Ohio and Kentucky as the third state to reform PBM practices in Medicaid Managed Care under a single PBM. The bills had bipartisan support and overwhelmingly passed the General Assembly a few weeks ago.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Erica Joyner2025-03-13T15:48:48-04:00March 13, 2025|Virginia|

Wisconsin

Senate President Mary Felzkowski (R) and Representative Todd Novak (R) introduced a new bill, Cole’s Act, aimed at reforming PBMs, a critical step toward ensuring fair drug pricing, increasing transparency for healthcare purchasers and alleviating workforce challenges in the healthcare sector. The bill is named in honor of Cole Schmidtknecht of Appleton who passed away from a severe asthma attack in 2024 after his inhaler was removed from his PBM’s formulary. A bill number is not publicly available yet, but NACDS will continue to advocate for PBM policy priorities throughout the state’s legislative session.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

Erica Joyner2025-03-13T15:48:09-04:00March 13, 2025|Wisconsin|

Wyoming

Gov. Mark Gordon (R) signed HB 82 (Chapter Number 39), legislation that requires health insurance carriers to follow specific timelines regarding healthcare provider applications for credentialing and to reimbursement healthcare providers for services rendered and requires the Department of Insurance to promulgate rules providing for a uniform credentialing application for use throughout the state.

Also in Wyoming, Department of Health officials confirmed 30 pertussis cases in the state so far this year. This is an increase over 19 reported Wyoming cases in 2024, zero in 2023, and two in 2022. The increase started in late 2024 and continued into the current year.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

Erica Joyner2025-03-13T15:47:13-04:00March 13, 2025|Wyoming|

Arizona

The Arizona Pharmacy Association’s Board of Directors announced the appointment of Garet Turner as the association’s new Chief Executive Officer. Most recently, Mr. Turner was the interim executive director and vice president of strategic engagement for the Association of Air Medical Services and MedEvac Foundation International. Prior to that, he served as the Chief Development Officer for the American Society of Association Executives.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

Erica Joyner2024-12-06T09:18:32-05:00December 6, 2024|Arizona|

Arkansas

The Joint Senate and House Insurance and Commerce Committee is meeting December 16 to discuss Rule 128, which enforces existing law prohibiting below-cost reimbursement in the commercial market. Company testimony and support letters are crucial for the success of this meeting. Rule 128 is critical for fully enforcing Act 3 of 2018, helping to prevent unreasonable underpayments that threaten patient access and addressing excessive overpayments that drive up costs.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Erica Joyner2024-12-06T09:17:36-05:00December 6, 2024|Arkansas|

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