SB 401, legislation that creates the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) within the Department of Insurance to improve transparency and control drug prices, passed the Senate and was referred to the House for further action. The bill requires an annual report on drug pricing trends and highlights drugs with high prices relative to other states, countries and their own production and research costs, thereby increasing accountability and guiding state healthcare policy.

Also in Louisiana, HB 1236, legislation that passed the House, requires PBMs to reimburse independent pharmacies using the NADAC and a professional dispensing fee, at least equal to the state’s Medicaid dispensing fee. The bill was amended on the Senate floor last week. NACDS is working on an amendment so that the rate floor reimbursement includes our members.

Finally in Louisiana, another PBM reform bill, HB 938, passed the House and was referred to the Senate Insurance Committee. The bill requires PBMs to reimburse local pharmacies at least their drug acquisition cost plus a Medicaid-level dispensing fee, bans below-cost payments and prohibits increasing patient copays after claims are processed. The law also requires PBMs to share claim data with regulators and is retroactive to January 1, 2026.

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