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So far Michael Silber has created 2568 blog entries.

Oklahoma

The US Supreme Court has declined to review the PCMA v. Mulready case, marking a significant setback for efforts to protect patients and pharmacies from harmful practices by PBMs. This decision upholds the 10th Circuit’s ruling, which struck down key provisions of the state’s Patient’s Right to Pharmacy Choice Act on the grounds that they are preempted by ERISA and Medicare Part D. As a result, the state now faces limited options for safeguarding pharmacies and ensuring patient access to the medications they need.

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

2025-07-11T09:02:50-04:00July 11, 2025|Oklahoma|

Oregon

The Prescription Drug Affordability Board posted its draft agenda and meeting materials for the July 16 meeting. Register here in advance.  

Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy is proposing to adopt the following rules:  

The July 22 Rulemaking Hearing will be held virtually via Teams and begins at 9:30 am. If you wish to provide virtual oral testimony during the hearing, please complete and submit the Rulemaking Hearing Testimony Sign Up Form on the board's website. You may also sign up by submitting your first and last name, email address and which rule(s) you would like to comment on to pharmacy.rulemaking@bop.oregon.gov no later than 9:00 am on July 22. You will receive a confirmation email and a calendar invitation to join the virtual hearing. Written comments must be received by 4:30 pm on July 22. Submit written comments to pharmacy.rulemaking@bop.oregon.gov. If you would like to listen to the rulemaking hearing, join the virtual Teams meeting or call: (503) 446-4951 Phone Conference ID: 429 564 160#. Email all rulemaking inquiries to pharmacy.rulemaking@bop.oregon.gov. 

Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy is proposing to adopt the following rule: Div 110 – Licensee & Registrant Fee Increase. The August 21 Rulemaking Hearing will be held virtually via Teams and begins at 9:30 am. If you wish to provide virtual oral testimony during the hearing, please complete and submit the Rulemaking Hearing Testimony Sign Up Form on the board's website. You may also sign up by submitting your first and last name, email address and which rule(s) you would like to comment on to pharmacy.rulemaking@bop.oregon.gov no later than 9:00 am on August 21. You will receive a confirmation email and a calendar invitation to join the virtual hearing. Written comments must be received by 4:30 pm on August 21. Submit written comments to pharmacy.rulemaking@bop.oregon.gov. If you would like to listen to the rulemaking hearing, join the virtual Teams meeting or call: (503) 446-4951 Phone Conference ID: 340 244 93 #. Email all rulemaking inquiries to pharmacy.rulemaking@bop.oregon.gov. 

Finally in Oregon, the state's Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) updated its food package effective July 1 for participants to enhance nutrition and expand choice for families statewide. The state's WIC participants may shop for food on the updated list using their benefit card at any of the WIC-authorized grocery stores across the state. Enhancements to the WIC Food Package include more fruits and vegetables; a wider variety of protein and plant-based options; more cheese varieties; new yogurt brands with reduced added sugar; new plant-based milks; and new nut and seed butters.

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.

2025-07-11T09:02:19-04:00July 11, 2025|Oregon|

Pennsylvania

Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) signed SB 95 into law on July 7. It was effective upon his signature. The law allows for pharmacist licensure by endorsement for 180 days to assist with the increased number of new prescriptions coming into stores due to pharmacy closures in the state. A provisional license application will be posted on the Board of Pharmacy's website soon. NACDS thanks the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores (PACDS) for working with members to get this bill across the finish line remarkably quickly during a very challenging budget season. 

Also in Pennsylvania, the long-awaited Pharmacy Technician Registration Regulations were finalized and effective on June 27. 

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

2025-07-11T09:01:25-04:00July 11, 2025|Pennsylvania|

Rhode Island

The 2025 legislative session has wrapped up. Notably, SB 114 was enacted which would prohibit discriminatory practices in the reimbursement of 340B covered entities and their contract pharmacies. Additionally, SB 314 was enacted to limit pharmacies to no more than one on-site audit per carrier within a twelve-month period, unless there is a reasonable suspicion of fraud or misrepresentation. The State Attorney General will have the authority to enforce compliance with this measure.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

2025-07-11T09:00:51-04:00July 11, 2025|Rhode Island|

South Carolina

Effective for dates of service on or after August 1, the Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) will require prior authorization (PA) for the physician-administered drugs in the document linked below to ensure use is consistent with the medication’s indication(s) and appropriate clinical guidelines. This change only applies to medications administered to Healthy Connections Medicaid members enrolled in the fee-for-service (FFS) Medicaid program. 
  
The list of physician-administered drugs for which a PA is required when administered to a FFS Medicaid member is available in the Procedure Codes section of the Physicians Services Provider Manual on the SCDHHS website. The list in the manual will be updated with the additional physician-administered drugs requiring a PA beginning August 1. The list of additional drugs is available online. 
  
Requests for PA and questions should be submitted to Prime Therapeutics Management at https://gatewaypa.com or by calling 1-800-424-8219 between 8:00 am-5:00 pm Monday-Friday.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

2025-07-11T08:59:40-04:00July 11, 2025|South Carolina|

South Dakota

The Board of Pharmacy published its July 2025 newsletter. Highlights including the following: South Dakota Board Welcomes Newly Licensed Pharmacists; In-State Pharmacies and Wholesalers; [Reminder] Pharmacist License Renewals; Updates to South Dakota Codified Laws (SDCL) 36-11 and SDCL 36-11A; Updates to Administrative Rules of South Dakota (ARSD) 20:51 and ARSD 20:67; PDMP Update; and Board of Pharmacy meeting dates, pharmacy contacts and staff.

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

2025-07-11T08:59:04-04:00July 11, 2025|South Dakota|

Texas

The Department of Insurance (DOI) Advisory Committee for the Standard Request Form for Prior Authorization of Prescription Drug Benefits will hold a public meeting on August 5 to discuss and take possible action on the standard prior authorization request form. As required by Insurance Code Section 1369.305(d), the advisory committee will: 

  • Review the adopted standard prior authorization request form. 
  • Examine the form's effectiveness and impact on patient safety. 
  • Determine whether changes are needed to the form. 

Also in Texas, SB 1188, legislation ensuring electronic health records that contain patient information are maintained in the United States or a US territory, was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott (R). 

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

2025-07-11T08:58:34-04:00July 11, 2025|Texas|

Washington

Effective July 1, the Health Care Authority (HCA) Apple Health (Medicaid) added a new section to the audio-only behavioral health procedure code list for HCPCS codes billable for Reentry Targeted Case Management (rTCM). The revised list is posted online under "Billing guides and fee schedules"; click on "Reentry services". 

Also in Washington, Apple Health (Medicaid) announced changes to the State Maximum Allowable Costs (SMAC) list for the fee-for-service (FFS) Prescription Drug Program effective September 1. The full SMAC list can be found on the agency's Provider billing guides and fee schedules website under the Prescription Drug Program and applies to claims billed to FFS. 

Also in Washington, the Health Care Authority (HCA) Prescription Drug Program's third quarter Preferred Drug List has been posted. 

Also in Washington, the Health Care Authority (HCA) created a toolkit called Apple Health is Medicaid Communications Toolkit to assist providers, community leaders and advocates to help Washingtonians access care. 

Finally in Washington, in an effort to effort to help prevent opioid misuse and overdose deaths, Fred Meyer's 60 pharmacies partnered with the Health Care Authority (HCA) to provide free locking bags to patients to more safely store their opioid prescriptions. The HCA's Lock Up Your Meds safe storage program is part of the statewide Starts with One campaign to prevent opioid overdoses by increasing the safe use, storage and disposal of opioid prescriptions. 

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

2025-07-11T08:58:00-04:00July 11, 2025|Washington|

West Virginia

The Secretary of State published a series of new proposed Board of Pharmacy rules that would implement legislation adopted in the 2025 session. Note that these include rules that allow pharmacist and technician licensing reciprocity and streamlining and that include a prohibition on dispensing abortion drugs and gender altering drugs for non-adults. Comments are due to the Board of Pharmacy by 5:00 pm on July 17.

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

2025-07-11T08:57:07-04:00July 11, 2025|West Virginia|
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