The Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) will host the next quarterly Medicaid pharmacy forum on June 17 and 18. The sessions have identical agendas, and all pharmacy providers operating in DC are welcome. Please see the invite for details.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
PBM reform passed the General Assembly. HB 1697, creates the Prescription Drug Affordability Act, introduces comprehensive changes to state laws governing pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), prescription drug pricing, pharmacy access and related health insurance requirements. This legislation represents a significant overhaul of prescription drug and PBM regulation in the state, with the goal of improving affordability, access and transparency in the pharmaceutical supply chain. The legislation passed the Senate by a vote of 56-1 and the House by a vote of 115-1-1. It now goes to the Governor for his consideration.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Department of Health and Human Services, Iowa Medicaid posted INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 2686-MC-FFS-D RE: July 2025 Iowa Medicaid Pharmacy Program Changes effective July 1, 2025.
Also in Iowa, the Department of Health and Human Services reported a confirmed case of measles in central Iowa in an unvaccinated adult. The case tested positive through the State Hygienic Laboratory and is the first confirmed case of measles in the state this year, and the first case in Iowa since 2019.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
MedImpact, the Medicaid Single PBM, issued an updated preferred diabetic supply and a revised preferred drug list.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Department of Health (LDH) Secretary Bruce Greenstein and the pharmacy Medicaid staff hosted a pharmacy stakeholders virtual meeting on June 10 to discuss LDH’s plans for transitioning from the costly sole source Prime PBM contract back to multiple Medicaid managed care contracts.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Medicaid Fee-for-Service released a bulletin updating its Brand vs Generic Preferred Drug List.
Also in Maryland, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board's (PDAB's) Stakeholder Council will meet virtually on June 23 at 2:00 pm. The agenda and other meeting materials will be available on the Stakeholder Council page prior to the scheduled meeting. Registration is required to receive the meeting link.
Finally in Maryland, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board also released an RFI to inform its cost review process for the drugs Skyrizi and Dupixet. Manufacturers, insurers, pharmacy benefit managers and wholesale distributors are eligible to respond.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The General Assembly will reconvene in a special session before July 1, due to missing the June 1 budget deadline. At that time, we expect them to consider pharmacy's priority issue, reforming the managed care pharmacy benefit under a state directed, transparent, pass-through single PBM. The new structure, similar to Ohio and Kentucky's, is included in both the Senate and House Health Omnibus bills (HF 2435/SF 2669). If adopted, pharmacy reimbursement would be set at Actual Acquisition Cost (AAC) + the current fee-for-service professional dispensing fee. NACDS played a key role in advocating for this structure and successfully secured support from the Administration and Department of Health and Human Services.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Effective, July 1, all OneTouch blood glucose test strips and meters manufactured by LifeScan will be removed from the Medicaid Preferred Diabetic Supplies List (DSL). Please refer to the updated DSL. The Division of Medicaid is providing this courtesy notice to allow providers time to adjust their inventory. Find more Late Breaking News online.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Board of Pharmacy posted its June 13 meeting agenda. New agenda items may be added or removed up to forty-eight hours before the meeting. For the most accurate agenda, please consult the website. The Board may reorder the agenda at the beginning of the meeting
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
