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So far Michael Silber has created 2568 blog entries.

Washington

The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee approved a substitute to SB 5924, a bill aimed at expanding prescriptive authority for pharmacists. This legislation seeks to eliminate administrative barriers to pharmacist-provided care by permitting independent prescribing and diagnosis within a pharmacist's scope of practice, based on their individual training, education and experience. An amendment to the bill now includes a list of specific conditions that pharmacists, who meet certain educational and experience requirements, are authorized to treat. 

Also in Washington, SB 6228 and identical HB 2707, legislation that would repeal the pharmaceutical wholesale distribution Business & Occupations (B&O) preferential tax rate, had a hearing in the Senate Ways and Means Committee in late January, but no action was taken. The House bill was referred to the Finance Committee. The Healthcare Distributors (HAD) requested we share its one-pager with our members. 

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

2026-02-06T08:47:34-05:00February 6, 2026|Washington|

West Virginia

Insurance Commissioner Allan McVey announced an $800,000 civil penalty on PBM Navitus for violating state laws governing pharmacy reimbursement, rebate pass‑through requirements and audit standards. State regulators found that Navitus failed to fully pass through negotiated drug rebates as required by state law, and, in some cases, reimbursed pharmacies below the mandated minimum of NADAC plus a $10.49 dispensing fee. Regulators also determined that Navitus paid its affiliated specialty pharmacy significantly higher rates than non‑affiliated pharmacies for certain drugs, creating an improper competitive advantage. The enforcement action reflects West Virginia’s aggressive oversight of PBMs since implementing licensure requirements in 2020 and signals increasing regulatory scrutiny of PBM transparency, affiliate relationships and reimbursement practices.

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

2026-02-06T08:44:43-05:00February 6, 2026|West Virginia|

Alaska

The Legislature convened January 20 and is scheduled to adjourn on May 20.

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

2026-01-30T11:05:54-05:00January 30, 2026|Alaska|

Arizona

The following bills of interest have been introduced:  

  • HB 2196 – Requires PBMs to reimburse nonaffiliated pharmacists and pharmacies no less than their actual cost for prescription drugs or devices, establishes minimum professional dispensing fees and mandates appeal procedures for disputes over reimbursement. 
  • HB 2444 – Allows a pharmacist to independently order, perform and interpret, under a statewide protocol, CLIA-waived tests and to initiate treatment to individuals at least six years of age. 
  • SB 1309 – Establishes a Standard of Care for the Practice of Pharmacy. 

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

2026-01-30T11:05:24-05:00January 30, 2026|Arizona|

California

The state has been awarded $233.6 million for Federal Fiscal Year 2026 through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program to support rural and frontier communities across the state. Through this funding, the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) and its partners will begin implementing a shared vision of a connected and resilient rural health system where rural and frontier Californians can access timely, person-centered care closer to home.  

Recently HCAI posted the project narrative (Revised 12/12/2025) providing additional insights into the state's plans. To learn more about the program, visit the RHTP webpage. For questions contact, CalRHT@hcai.ca.gov.  

Please register for the Rural Health Listserv to ensure you receive updates. 

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Service posted the following on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal: 

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy posted a corrected version of the Special Edition of The Script newsletter . This January 2026 issue is dedicated to Assembly Bill 1503, the Sunset Measure for the California State Board of Pharmacy. This Special Edition focuses on: 

  • Standard of Care 
  • Nonresident Pharmacies 
  • Inspection of Nonresident Pharmacies 
  • Establishing Pharmacy Technician Advisory Committee 
  • Self-Assessment Process  
  • Define Pharmacy Technician Trainee 
  • Define Pharmacist 
  • Title Change to Advanced Pharmacist Practitioners 
  • Enforcing Pharmacy Law 
  • Pharmacist-in-Charge, Staffing 
  • COVID-19 Oral Therapeutics 
  • Emergency Refill Provisions 
  • Pharmacy Records and Digital Conversion 
  • Ownership Prohibition 
  • Reporting to CAMER 
  • Chain Community Pharmacy Employee Notice 
  • Pharmacy Technician Duties 
  • High Risk Patients 
  • Retired Pharmacists License 
  • Mail Order Pharmacies 
  • Fees: Medically Underserved Area 

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

2026-03-10T14:49:09-04:00January 30, 2026|California, RH|

Florida

The Department of Revenue launched its new eFile and Pay system for quarterly, semiannual and annual filers. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

2026-01-30T11:03:14-05:00January 30, 2026|Florida|

Hawaii

As a member of the West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA), the Department of Health announced endorsement of the 2026 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule.

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

2026-01-30T11:02:40-05:00January 30, 2026|Hawaii|

Indiana

The Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning (OMPP) is conducting a survey of dispensing costs for pharmacies participating in the Medicaid program. The Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) issued a bulletin reminding pharmacy providers to submit dispensing fee surveys by January 30.  

Also in Indiana, SB 221, a bill sponsored by Sen. Ed Charbonneau (R) that requires the state health commissioner to issue a standing order, prescription or protocol to allow a pharmacist to test, treat or prescribe for influenza, COVID-19, streptococcus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), was heard in the Senate Health Provider Services Committee on January 14. The bill was left pending and is dead. 

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

2026-01-30T11:02:08-05:00January 30, 2026|Indiana|
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