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So far Michael Silber has created 2507 blog entries.

Ohio

This week, the Senate released an amended version of the state budget bill, HB 96, which did not retain the House's provision requiring a pharmacy commercial rate floor. Both the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) actively opposed the amendment. NACDS continues to collaborate with partners and members to promote commercial PBM reform, with a focus on restoring the pharmacy rate floor during the conference committee process.  

Also in Ohio, NACDS also submitted written testimony to the House General Government Operations Committee urging its support for HB 229, requiring PBM licensure and reporting. The bill had its second hearing this week.  

Finally in Ohio, Medicaid released an updated preferred diabetic supply list, effective June 1. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

2025-06-05T08:13:14-04:00June 5, 2025|Ohio|

Oklahoma

Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) appointed, and the Legislature confirmed Walmart pharmacist Shannon Griggs to serve a five-year term on the Board of Pharmacy, beginning July 1 and expiring June 30, 2030. Griggs is replacing Mark St. Cyr. 

Also in Oklahoma, SB 789, a PBM reform bill banning effective rate contracts, providing network transparency and reimbursement appeal protections, was enacted without Gov. Kevin Stitt's (R) signature. 

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

2025-06-05T08:12:43-04:00June 5, 2025|Oklahoma|

Oregon

The Board of Pharmacy June 11-13, 2025 Board Meeting agenda and meeting materials are now available. On June 11, the board will meet in Executive Session for most of the day and anticipates resuming Open Session around 4:30 pm. On June 12, the board will meet in Executive Session after roll call and anticipates resuming Open Session at 1:00 pm. The board anticipates meeting in Open Session on June 13, and it will break for lunch between 12:00 noon-1:00 pm. Additional meeting materials may be added to the agenda prior to the board meeting. Visit the board website for current meeting materials.  

Also in Oregon, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board posted its draft agenda for the June 18 meeting. Register here in advance. 

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

2025-06-05T08:12:13-04:00June 5, 2025|Oregon|

Texas

The Legislature adjourned its biennial session on June 2. 

Also in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed into law SB 1236, by Sen. Bryan Hughes (R) and Rep. Cody Harris (R), PBM reform legislation that provides fair and transparent contract protections for pharmacies, requires that a group number identifying the plan be on the enrollee's identification card, enhances audit protections and ensures compliance with existing laws. It will take effect on September 1, 2025. 

Also in Texas, despite our efforts to successfully negotiate a compromise bill with the Texas Medical Association (TMA) and the Texas Pediatric Society and overcome the toxic anti-vaxxer environment and the Lt. Governor's prohibition on referring House bills that had more Democrat votes than Republicans, it was the strong opposition by grocers and the food industry opposing SB 25, Sen. Lois Kolkhorst's priority bill that killed HB 3540, legislation that would have allowed pharmacists to order and administer immunizations, and technicians to vaccinate. 

Also in Texas, HB 3441, legislation amending current law relating to the liability of vaccine manufacturers that advertise a harmful vaccine, was sent to Gov. Greg Abbott (R). 

Finally in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has until June 2 to sign or veto any bills sent to him. If he does not sign or veto a bill within this period, it will automatically become law. 

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

2025-06-05T08:11:05-04:00June 5, 2025|Texas|

Wyoming

Gov. Mark Gordon (R) announced the appointment of Ryan Schelhaas as interim Attorney General beginning May 28. Schelhaas’ appointment follows the departure of Attorney General Bridget Hill, who will join the Wyoming Supreme Court as its newest justice. Schelhaas joined the Wyoming Attorney General’s office in 2003, and he has served as Chief Deputy Attorney General since 2019. He previously spent more than a decade in the Civil Division of the Attorney General’s office including as both Deputy and Section Supervisor. Before joining the Attorney General’s Office, Schelhaas worked as a civil litigator at Hirst Applegate in Cheyenne. Schelhaas earned his Bachelors and Juris Doctorate degrees from the University of Wyoming. 

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

2025-06-05T08:10:32-04:00June 5, 2025|Wyoming|

California

This week, the Board of Pharmacy issued the following communication: As you may be aware, Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy in October 2023, resulting in the closure of several locations nationwide. On May 5, Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy again and is in the process of selling assets, including prescriptions, to other pharmacies. 

The Board is closely monitoring the Rite Aid bankruptcy proceedings and anticipated pharmacy closures in California.  The Board strongly encourages pharmacies to consider if they may be impacted by Rite Aid closures in their respective areas and, if so, to begin taking steps to assist patients who may be seeking pharmacy services.  

The Board also reminds licensees that Business and Professions Code section 4064 establishes provisions for emergency refill of prescriptions without prescriber authorization under specified conditions.  It may be helpful to recommend patients bring in their prescription containers when seeking an emergency refill.  

As more information is received, updates will be shared on the Board's website https://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/. 

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy posted to its website a Fact Sheet about the California Medication Error Reporting (CAMER) Pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 4113.1 including high level data reporting elements. Please note: the Board advises licensees that medication errors that occur on or after September 1, 2025, must be reported to the CAMER system. To view, visit www.pharmacy.ca.gov, scroll down to "What's New" and click on the link "California Medication Error Reporting (CAMER) Pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 4113.1". 

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Service posted the following alerts on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal: 

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following: 

Finally in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) released the revised 2025-26 State Budget, known as the May Revision. The May Revision proposes multiple programmatic changes to the pharmacy benefit by implementing a pharmacy rebate aggregator to secure rebates for the undocumented immigrant population; eliminating over-the-counter (OTC) coverage of certain drug classes, including COVID-19 antigen tests, OTC vitamins, and certain antihistamines including dry eye products; eliminating glucagon-like peptide-1 coverage (GLP-1) for weight loss effective January 1, 2026; and implementing utilization management and prior authorization for prescription drugs in Medi-Cal. It also proposes statutory changes to establish licensure and data reporting requirements for PBMs with the aim to increase transparency, understand cost drivers, and develop approaches to improve prescription drug affordability; details will be available in the Department of Managed Health Care's trailer bill language. Also, Gov. Newsom announced changes in coverage for undocumented immigrants beginning in 2026, just a year after expanding Medi-Cal access to undocumented immigrants of all ages.  

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

2025-05-22T16:51:00-04:00May 22, 2025|California|

Connecticut

The legislation that has been proposed by the bi-partisan and bi-cameral Prescription Drug Task Force earlier this year continues to progress. SB 11 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Finance and HB 7192 is currently on the house calendar. HB 7192 aims to enhance the accountability and transparency of PBMs and health carriers, implementing recommendations from the Bipartisan Drug Task Force. NACDS participated in the task force and submitted testimony when both bills had hearings. NACDS will continue to advocate for PBM policy priorities throughout the legislative session.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

2025-05-22T16:50:18-04:00May 22, 2025|Connecticut|

Delaware

The Board of Pharmacy held its monthly meeting on May 21. The agenda included:  

  1. President's report from Dr. Coffield 
  2. Executive Director's Report 
  3. Committee Reports 
    1. Legislative Committee Report 
    2. Professional Liaison Reports 
      1. Vincent Madaline, PharmD 
      2. Controlled Substance Liaison Report 
  4. Inspection Report from Pharmacist Compliance Officer- Matthew Moritz, PharmD 
  5. PMP Report from Pharmacist Administrator- Jason Slavoski, PharmD 
  6. Pharmacist/Pharmacy Ratification Listing

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

2025-05-22T16:49:54-04:00May 22, 2025|Delaware|
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