Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced that he is nominating Scott R. Partika to be the director of the Department of Medicaid, following the announcement that Director Maureen Cocoran is retiring. Partika's nomination must be confirmed by the Senate.
Also in Ohio, the Board of Pharmacy has posted the following:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) posted its draft agenda for the November 19 meeting. Check the PDAB website for updates to the agenda and the meeting materials. Register in advance.
Also in Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority issued a notice of proposed rulemaking amending prior authorization criteria and preferred drug list to implement recommendations from the Drug Utilization Review / Pharmacy & Therapeutics action. A hearing is scheduled to be held on November 17 from 11:00 am – 11:45 am. See notice for details.
Finally in Oregon, the Office of Governor Tina Kotek and Oregon Health Authority's (OHA) Public Health Division are seeking applicants for one position (member at large) on the state Public Health Advisory Board (PHAB). Please refer to the announcement for more information.
OHA invites applicants from a wide range of backgrounds including pharmacists with experience in prevention, patient care or a public health issue. This term for this position is scheduled to begin January 1, 2026.
Learn about the application process here.
To apply, complete the electronic application process by November 30.
These recruitments will remain open until filled.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The state announced the submission of its application to CMS for the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program. The application outlines the state's plan to use the funding to address the biggest health challenges identified by rural Wyoming communities through 11 local town hall meetings and prioritized through an online survey with over 1,300 responses.
Also in Wyoming, Gov. Mark Gordon (R) recently issued Executive Order (2025-07) directing the Department of Family Services (DFS) to begin the process of submitting a waiver request to restrict the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for the purchase of certain foods that offer little or no nutritional value, such as sugary beverages and candy.
Finally in Wyoming, Gov. Mark Gordon (R) recently declared a Public Welfare Emergency and issued an Executive Order (2025-08) authorizing up to $10 million in state emergency funds to ensure Wyoming families continue to have access to food if federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) dollars run out due to the federal government shutdown.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
NACDS is working collaboratively with the Alaska Pharmacy Association to ensure pharmacists and pharmacies are included in the Rural Health Transformation Program funding.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Board of Pharmacy posted the following:
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 issued a Notice of Third Modified Text – Discontinuance of Business – Updated. The Board of Pharmacy has proposed additional modifications to Title 16 CCR § 1708.2, related to the Discontinuance of Business.
Any person who wishes to comment on the proposed modifications may do so by submitting written comments beginning on October 6 and ending on October 22 to the following:
Contact Person: Debbie Damoth
Agency Name: California State Board of Pharmacy
Address: 2720 Gateway Oaks Drive, Ste. 100, Sacramento, CA 95833
Email: PharmacyRulemaking@dca.ca.gov
Fax: 916-574-8618
Please be advised the additional changes made to Title 16 CCR § 1708.2 reflect nonsubstantive changes with the exception of changes made to Title 16 CCR § 1708.2(b)(4). As a result, comments submitted should pertain only to the additional changes made to Title 16 CCR § 1708.2(b)(4). Any responses to comments directly concerning the proposed modifications to the text of the regulations will be considered and responded to in the Final Statement of Reasons.
Finally in California, the Board of Pharmacy posted this "Vaccine Alert".
Updated information on pharmacist authority to administer vaccines
The Board wishes to advise licensees about important upcoming changes to pharmacist authority related to vaccine administration enacted by Assembly Bill 1503 (Berman, Chapter 196, Statutes of 2025). AB 1503 was recently signed by Governor Newsom and will take effect on January 1, 2026. Under the provisions established in AB 1503, pharmacist authority to independently initiate and administer vaccines for persons three years of age and older will transition to a standard of care practice model. Such an approach is consistent with other health care practitioners with similar practice authority.
In anticipation of this change, the Board strongly encourages pharmacists to begin the transition to a standard of care practice model for immunizations for patients three years old and older. The Board intends to use enforcement discretion during this intervening period.
The Board also reminds pharmacists that Business and Professions Code section 4052(a)(11) currently provides a pharmacist with the authority to administer immunizations to any person, regardless of age, pursuant to a protocol with a prescriber. This current authority will exist until January 1, 2026, when AB 1503 takes effect.
Note that while AB 1503 repeals current subdivision (a)(11) of section 4052, it also adds new subdivision (a)(12), which, effective as of January 1, 2026, provides general authority for a pharmacist to initiate, adjust, or discontinue drug therapy for a patient (which includes vaccine administration) under either (1) a collaborative practice agreement, or (2) under specified conditions, an order or authorization made by the patient's prescriber. (See Stats. 2025, Ch. 196, Sec. 13 (AB 1503), effective January 1, 2026.)
Finally, as announced in a separate alert released on September 18, 2025, the Board reminds licensees about the following recent developments related to vaccines:
Thank you for your commitment to California patients.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Effective October 1, the Department of Health and Family Services updated the Medicaid Preferred Drug List.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Medicaid proposal to cut pharmacies' reimbursement remains unchanged, but the timeline for stakeholders to comment has been extended until October 27. A public hearing is scheduled on the same date to allow for public comments.
Also in Indiana, NACDS submitted a letter on September 30 opposing the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning's (OMPP) proposed changes to the reimbursement methodology that would result in a devastating 8.8 percent cut in pharmacy dispensing fees.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Department of Health’s Office of Pharmacy Services announced upcoming changes to the Medicaid Preferred Drug List regarding brand vs. generic product coverage. Updates include new requirements for Sabril, Concerta and Ritalin LA claims when submitted with DAW 6 codes.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The public is invited to attend the Medicaid Health Plan Common Formulary stakeholder meeting from 9:30 am to 12:00 noon on October 20. It will be held virtually via Zoom using the password SLVU14. Participants may also access the meeting by phone by dialing 408-961-3928 and entering access code 351013. Attendees are asked to RSVP by emailing KrepsD@michigan.gov by October 15.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
