Alaska
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.
California
The Board of Pharmacy posted the following:
- Licensing Committee – October 15 agenda and meeting materials
- Enforcement & Compounding Committee – October 16 agenda
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:
- In early September, the West Coast Health Alliance was launched to provide evidence-based unified recommendations for residents of California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii regarding who should receive immunizations.
- On September 17, the California Department of Public Health announced official immunization recommendations in accordance with this Alliance.
- Recent enactment of Assembly Bill 144 (Committee on Budget, Chapter 105, Statutes of 2025) provides authority for pharmacists to independently initiate and administer to individuals three years of age or older an immunization that, on January 1, 2025, had in effect an ACIP recommendation and that is recommended by the California Department of Public Health. This authority became effective on September 17, 2025, and provides separate and independent authority (complementing other current and forthcoming authorities) for pharmacists to administer vaccines.
- AB 144 also contains provisions related to Medi-Cal coverage of vaccines and immunizations. Learn more about Medi-Cal coverage of vaccines here.
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’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Illinois
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.
Indiana
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.
Maryland
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.
Michigan
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.
New York
On October 7, the State Board of Regents voted to amend paragraph (8) of subdivision (a) of section 63.6 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education. This amendment, adopted as an emergency rule and effective immediately, requires pharmacists transferring prescriptions to transfer the entire prescription, including all remaining refills, to the new pharmacy chosen by the patient. As an emergency adoption, the amended regulation is now in effect. A Notice of Emergency Adoption and Proposed Rulemaking will be published in the State Register on October 22 for a 60-day public comment period as required under the State Administrative Procedure Act (SAPA). It is anticipated that the regulation will be presented to the Board of Regents for permanent adoption at its February 2026 meeting. Once adopted, the regulation would become permanently effective on February 25, 2026.
The state has also provided the following:
- An advisory notice highlighting key elements of the amendment: https://www.op.nysed.gov/advisory-notice-pharmacists-transferring-prescriptions
- Updated FAQs on prescription transfers, developed with input from the Board's committee https://www.op.nysed.gov/professions/pharmacist/frequently-asked-questions/prescription-refills and https://www.op.nysed.gov/professions/pharmacist/frequently-asked-questions/transfer-of-prescriptions
Also in New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) extended the declaration of a disaster in the state of New York due to federal actions related to vaccine access by issuing Executive Order 52. 1 to continue access to COVID-19 vaccine through November 2.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
North Carolina
Dr. Larry Greenblatt, North Carolina Health Director, will rescind the statewide standing order effective October 13. Beginning on that date, pharmacies and pharmacists must revert to the protocols previously used to administer COVID-19 vaccines in the state. Please refer to the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy's guidance regarding CDC/ACIP recommendations and state law governing pharmacy-based COVID-19 vaccine administration.
Also in North Carolina, the Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) remain committed to transparency, collaboration and fiscal responsibility in administration of the state's Medicaid program. Fee schedules impacted by rate reductions were released October 1, but are subject to change if additional appropriations are made available.
NC Medicaid provider reimbursement rate reductions are being implemented by the Division of Health Benefits (DHB) to maintain the NC Medicaid program within the current funding allocated to the Medicaid program by the North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA).
For more information, please see:
- Medicaid Provider Bulletin article NC Medicaid Rate Reductions – Effective October 1, 2025
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Ohio
The House Insurance Committee held a proponent hearing on HB 192 as amended. You can watch the hearing here. NACDS’ submitted written testimony in support of the bill.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.