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:  

• Gabapentin Fact Sheet for Pharmacies and Pharmacists  

• Gabapentin Fact Sheet for Prescribers and Patients  

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.  

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