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Arkansas

Immunize Arkansas designed a webpage for billing and reimbursement guides for pharmacies to use as a resource for administering vaccines to Medicaid patients.  

Also in Arkansas, the Insurance Department (AID) Commissioner issued an October 16 status report on implementing Rule 128 & PBM Enforcement. The Arkansas Pharmacists Association (APA) shared a detailed summary of how these enforcement actions, which require fair and reasonable payment models and began in 2018, are now being implemented. 

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

2026-10-23T12:01:36-04:00October 23, 2026|Arkansas|

Louisiana

The Department of Health issued a Standing Order for the distribution or dispensing of Naloxone and other opioid antagonists attached above, effective January 1st, 2027.

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

2026-10-23T12:00:59-04:00October 23, 2026|Louisiana|

Texas

Early voting for the November 3 elections began on October 19. The closely watched U.S. Senate race between Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) and state Representative James Talarico (D) is capturing most of the headlines, but polls indicate a competitive contest for governor as well. Incumbent Governor Greg Abbott (R) is seeking a record fourth term against state Representative Gina Hinojosa (D). Also on the ballot are the offices of attorney general and lieutenant governor, along with all 150 state House seats and 16 of the 31 state Senate seats. 

Also in Texas, the Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) announced that all pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in Texas must now register for a free Propelus CE Broker account. This new mandate ensures compliance with the state's updated continuing education tracking requirements before their next license or registration renewal. 

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

2026-10-23T12:00:30-04:00October 23, 2026|Texas|

Washington

Apple Health (Medicaid), administered by the Health Care Authority (HCA), will implement changes to the State Maximum Allowable Costs (SMAC) list for the fee-for-service (FFS) Prescription Drug Program, effective December 15, 2026.  The full SMAC list can be found on the agency’s Provider billing guides and fee schedules website under the Prescription Drug Program and applies to claims billed FFS.

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

2026-10-23T11:59:17-04:00October 23, 2026|Washington|

California

Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed AB 1587 (Chapter 69), legislation allowing a pharmacist to provide a 30-day supply of a dangerous drug or device without prescriber authorization if the prescriber is unavailable and the pharmacist determines that failure to refill would disrupt care and harm the patient. The pharmacist is also required to notify the patient and, if a prescriber is identified, inform the prescriber within a reasonable period of time of any refill issued under this provision.  

Also in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) vetoed AB 2575, legislation aimed to protect direct patient care workers who choose to override or decline clinical AI recommendations. It would have prohibited employers from penalizing or retaliating against healthcare workers for overriding unsafe AI tools or following employer-approved technology in good faith. Gov. Newsom stated in his veto message that the anti-retaliation provisions did not protect workers as intended. He noted that the bill would improperly place the Labor Commissioner in the position of adjudicating complex clinical standards of care requiring medical expertise.  

Also in California, the State Assembly passed HR 110, a resolution calling upon the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to direct Medicaid managed care plans to prioritize coverage for medically supportive food and nutrition interventions until these services can become fully covered, permanent Medi-Cal benefits. DHCS will also regularly update the implementation guidance, undertaking ongoing data collection and publishing evaluation reports, and actively soliciting stakeholder feedback to inform these updates. Also, the State Senate passed SR 123, a related resolution recognizing the benefits of medically supportive food and nutrition services in improving health outcomes, reducing chronic disease, advancing health equity and lowering healthcare costs.  

Finally in California, the Board of Pharmacy is requesting your assistance in completing an important Job Analysis Survey regarding the duties and responsibilities you perform as a pharmacist practicing in California. The Board's examination committee will develop examination items based on the information collected from the survey responses. Such surveys enable examination items to reflect current technologies, methods and practices. All information obtained will remain confidential. You are eligible to receive two hours of continuing education credit for completing the survey.  

You may access the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CABOPJA26. 

Your input is needed by October 18. 

If you have questions, send an email to CABOP_JASurvey@psionline.com. 

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

2026-10-16T12:35:32-04:00October 16, 2026|California|

Colorado

On October 1, the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy finalized rules implementing HB 26-1336, establishing the Technician Product Verification (TPV) framework. Under these new rules, certified and trained pharmacy technicians and pharmacy interns can perform final product verification for non-controlled substances under pharmacist supervision. Key elements of the TPV framework include: 

  • Pharmacists may delegate final product verification for non-controlled substances. 
  • Pharmacies must maintain a continuous quality assurance program. 
  • Delegated activities may include technician-to-technician verification and barcode-assisted verification. 
  • Clinical judgment and therapeutic review remain the pharmacist's responsibility. 

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

2026-10-16T12:34:55-04:00October 16, 2026|Colorado|

Louisiana

The Department of Health (LDH) issued several pharmacy bulletins.  

Also in Louisiana, LDH issued a Pharmacy Provider Notice: 2026-2027 COVID Vaccine Medicaid reimbursement for enrolled pharmacies to Medicaid recipients who are nineteen years of age and older when the administering pharmacist is an enrolled Medicaid provider. 

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

2026-10-16T12:33:15-04:00October 16, 2026|Louisiana|
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