The Department of Social Services, through the MO HealthNet Division, is seeking input on key initiatives and priorities to consider for potential funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program. The deadline to submit comments on this form is September 30. More information is available on the Press Release .
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Effective October 1, the drug gabapentin will be a Schedule V controlled substance in the state, pursuant to the new law HB 41. Please see the below Fact Sheets for information to help with implementation:
For additional information, contact the Board of Pharmacy at (406) 841-2371 or dlibsdpha@mt.gov, or the Prescription Drug Registry (MPDR) Program at (406) 841-2240 or dlibsdmpdr@mt.gov.
Also in Montana, the Board of Pharmacy cancelled its Full Board Meeting on October 3. The board will meet again on December 5.
Finally in Montana, effective October 1, Bausch Health US, LLC and its subsidiary Salix Pharmaceuticals have terminated their participation in the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program. State Medicaid Programs are prohibited from utilizing federal funds to pay for medications manufactured by companies that don't participate in the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program.
Therefore, several medications, most non-preferred, will no longer be covered by Montana Healthcare Programs. The most notable are Retin-A and Xifaxan. Generic Retin-A will replace the brand as a preferred product. Unfortunately, Xifaxan does not have a generic alternative. The manufacturer has said that they will provide Xifaxan to Medicaid members through a patient assistance program. The application for which can be found here. Please, alert members and their providers so that they can start this process and avoid interruptions in care.
Below is a complete list of labelers whose rebate agreements and coverage will be terminated October 1. For more information, please contact Shannon Sexauer, PharmD, Medicaid Pharmacist, Allied Health Services Bureau, at shannon.sexauer@mt.gov.
| Labeler Code | Labeler Name |
| 99207 | BAUSCH HEALTH US, LLC |
| 68682 | OCEANSIDE PHARMACEUTICALS |
| 68012 | SANTARUS, INC. |
| 66530 | SPEAR DERMATOLOGY PRODUCTS, INC. |
| 66490 | BAUSCH HEALTH US LLC |
| 65649 | SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. |
| 57782 | BAUSCH & LOMB INC. |
| 25010 | BAUSCH HEALTH US, LLC |
| 16781 | BAUSCH HEALTH US, LLC |
| 13548 | BAUSCH HEALTH US, LLC |
| 00884 | PEDINOL PHARMACAL INC |
| 00187 | BAUSCH HEALTH US, LLC. |
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Department of Health and Human Services announced CMS approved state Plan amendment 25-0010: Recovery Audit Contractor, waiving the requirement to implement a Recovery Audit Contractor for an additional two years effective December 1, 2025, through November 30, 2027. Neb Rev Stat 68-974(3)(a) excludes Managed Care claims from the scope of the Recovery Audit Contractor. Recall, the state implemented Heritage Health, combining physical health, behavioral health and pharmacy programs into a single managed care system, effective January 1, 2017.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
After three hours of discussion and debate at the September 4 workshop meeting over the latest draft regulation on pharmacy staffing, the board of pharmacy direct staff to redraft the language for a workshop meeting in Las Vegas on October 16. NACDS will continue to engage on this issue.
Also in Nevada, NACDS submitted the state survey on the Rural Health Transformation Program funds.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) called lawmakers into a special session starting on October 1 consider a package of measures, including:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The state's Department of Health updated its Preferred Drug List, effective September 15.
The NYRx Education and Outreach team shared an update to the NYRx Brand Less Than Generic Program Update effective October 1.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
The latest Medicaid Pharmacy Newsletter, dated September 2025, is now available on the NC Medicaid website. In addition to the October 2025 checkwriter schedule, this edition of the newsletter includes the following articles:
Providers are encouraged to review this important information. The 2025 Medicaid Pharmacy Newsletters can be viewed online.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Medicaid issued the following updates:
Dulera contains formoterol and can be used for single-inhaler maintenance-and-reliever therapy (SMART) as recommended in asthma guidelines. ND Medicaid allows up to two Dulera inhalers per 30-day supply for SMART use.
ND Medicaid cannot pay for a drug when the manufacturer does not participate in the MDRP due to federal law, Sec.1927. [42. U.S.C. 1396r-8] (a).
An alternative, participating manufacturer's product or different drug that is covered must be used for Medicaid to be able to pay.
For more information, contact LeNeika Roehrich, PharmD, BCGP.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
On September 9, the Attorney General Gentner Drummond (R) announced a $32.1 million settlement with CVS Caremark, a PBM for the state's HealthChoice plan. The settlement resolves allegations that CVS Caremark withheld millions of dollars in drug rebates intended to reduce healthcare costs for state employees between January 2020 and December 2024. Approximately $27 million, after attorney fees, will be returned to HealthChoice within 30 days to benefit state employees, retirees and their families. The agreement also mandates quarterly rebate reporting, prompt rebate remittance and expanded definitions to ensure transparency and accountability.
Also in Oklahoma, NACDS submitted the state survey on the Rural Health Transformation Program funds.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
