Gainwell Technologies, the Medicaid Single PBM (SPBM), announced effective April 1 brand Suboxone will transition to non-preferred status and will require Prior Authorization (PA). Generic buprenorphine/naloxone will remain Preferred (No PA Required). The announcement further encouraged pharmacies to ensure they have advance supplies of the preferred product to manage this utilization shift without patient interruption.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Board of Pharmacy adopted the following Temporary Rule and Protocols:
February 25, 2026, Temporary Rule Noticed
Email all rulemaking related inquiries to pharmacy.rulemaking@bop.oregon.gov.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The primary election is on March 3.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
HB 830, legislation requiring commercial PBMs to utilize pass through pricing models and offer at least one plan that restricts PBM revenue to a set fee, was amended and passed the House unanimously. The bill also limits PBMs' ability to charge fees and retroactively reduce pharmacy reimbursement. It is now in the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee and we expect that it will eventually reach Gov. Abigail Spanberger's (D) desk.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
SSB 5934, the standard of care bill, would expand pharmacists’ practice authority by allowing them to independently prescribe and diagnose within their scope of practice, based on education and experience. The bill passed the Senate earlier this month and is awaiting a hearing in the House Health Care and Wellness Committee.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
HB 5430, legislation that would enact further PBM reforms in the commercial market, Medicaid and under the Public Employee Insurance Agency (PEIA), has passed the House unanimously and is currently in the Senate for further consideration. HB 5430 requires an annual pharmacy dispensing fee study, limits the amounts charged by PBMs and prohibits affiliate pharmacies from contracting with Medicaid and the Public Employee Insurance Agency (PEIA). It also requires the implementation of a pharmacy cost comparison tool on prescriber platforms. We expect the bill to be amended in the Senate before it heads to the floor for a vote.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
On February 16, the House Labor and Commerce Committee held a hearing on HB 195, a bill carried over from last year that would allow pharmacists to provide patient care services within the scope of their education, training and experience. The bill was amended and reported favorably to the House Finance Committee for further consideration.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Gov. Sarah Huckaby Sanders (R) reappointed Brian Jolly to the Board of Pharmacy. His term expires June 30, 2031.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Department of Health Care Service posted the following on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
