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So far Michael Silber has created 2529 blog entries.

South Carolina

The Department of Public Health (DPH) provided its weekly update on the state of the measles outbreak. The outbreak, which now has infected 789 people, sent some residents to the hospital. The state hopes to diminish complications by increasing MMR [measles, mumps and rubella] vaccination coverage. The Department of Public Health has launched a new Measles dashboard. Please visit the homepage for measles updates from the Department of Public Health, which includes public exposure locations. 

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

2026-02-06T08:52:06-05:00February 6, 2026|South Carolina|

South Dakota

Gov. Larry Rhoden (R) signed HB 1044, which appropriates funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program. Initial RFPs for administrative support will be released soon, positioning the state to be competitive in securing the expertise needed to successfully implement Year 1 initiatives and strengthen rural health systems. Please check the Rural Health Transformation Project website for more information and updates. 

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

2026-02-06T08:51:32-05:00February 6, 2026|South Dakota|

Tennessee

This notice is to inform you of changes to the TennCare pharmacy program. We encourage you to read this thoroughly and contact OptumRx’s Pharmacy Support Center (866-434-5520) should you have additional questions. 

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

2026-02-06T08:50:58-05:00February 6, 2026|Tennessee|

Texas

Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced several appointments to the Pharmacy (TSBP). Stacy Hightower, who works at the Las Colinas Pharmacy, Compounding and Wellness in Irving, has been appointed to fill the pharmacy technician slot. Reappointed to the Board are pharmacists Donnie Lewis and Donna Montemayor and public member Rick Tisch. Their terms will expire on August 31, 2031. 

Also in Texas, the state will receive $1.4 billion in federal funding from CMS over five years to improve rural health care across the state. Texas will receive approximately $281 million annually during fiscal years 2026-2030. The Health and Humans Services Commission (HHSC) is currently hiring attorneys and procurement staff for this program and expects the initial flow of funds to arrive in early February. HHSC will develop processes for projects involving direct distribution to local entities via direct awards, with those entities then distributing funds to others. HHSC will also determine procedures for projects that will be managed through its own procurement efforts. More information is available on the Provider Finance Department's website.  

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

2026-02-06T08:49:22-05:00February 6, 2026|Texas|

Utah

Below are highlights from the February 2026 issue of the Board of Pharmacy newsletter. See the newsletter for details and more information. 

  • Compounding Operating Standards Update 
  • Annual CS [Controlled Substances] Inventory 

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

2026-02-06T08:48:50-05:00February 6, 2026|Utah|

Virginia

NACDS and VACDS are working with Gov. Abigail Spanberger's (D) staff and key legislators to advance PBM reform in the short, 60-day 2026 legislative session. The following bills advanced this week in their respective chambers: 

  • SB 668: Adds detail around the structure and contracting requirements for the Single PBM Medicaid Managed Care program. 
  • HB 631: Requires the Single PBM contract to be awarded by January 1, 2027.  
  • HB 830: Requires PBMs to operate under pass-through pricing model; requires insurers to offer at least one product that prohibits a PBM from deriving income from pharmacy benefit management services other than a management fee; prohibits retroactive reductions to pharmacy payments; includes anti-retaliation provisions. It also applies these provisions to the state employee health plan.  

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

2026-02-06T08:48:13-05:00February 6, 2026|Virginia|

Washington

The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee approved a substitute to SB 5924, a bill aimed at expanding prescriptive authority for pharmacists. This legislation seeks to eliminate administrative barriers to pharmacist-provided care by permitting independent prescribing and diagnosis within a pharmacist's scope of practice, based on their individual training, education and experience. An amendment to the bill now includes a list of specific conditions that pharmacists, who meet certain educational and experience requirements, are authorized to treat. 

Also in Washington, SB 6228 and identical HB 2707, legislation that would repeal the pharmaceutical wholesale distribution Business & Occupations (B&O) preferential tax rate, had a hearing in the Senate Ways and Means Committee in late January, but no action was taken. The House bill was referred to the Finance Committee. The Healthcare Distributors (HAD) requested we share its one-pager with our members. 

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

2026-02-06T08:47:34-05:00February 6, 2026|Washington|

West Virginia

Insurance Commissioner Allan McVey announced an $800,000 civil penalty on PBM Navitus for violating state laws governing pharmacy reimbursement, rebate pass‑through requirements and audit standards. State regulators found that Navitus failed to fully pass through negotiated drug rebates as required by state law, and, in some cases, reimbursed pharmacies below the mandated minimum of NADAC plus a $10.49 dispensing fee. Regulators also determined that Navitus paid its affiliated specialty pharmacy significantly higher rates than non‑affiliated pharmacies for certain drugs, creating an improper competitive advantage. The enforcement action reflects West Virginia’s aggressive oversight of PBMs since implementing licensure requirements in 2020 and signals increasing regulatory scrutiny of PBM transparency, affiliate relationships and reimbursement practices.

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

2026-02-06T08:44:43-05:00February 6, 2026|West Virginia|
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