The Beacon Center of Tennessee’s newest report, “A Dose of Free Market Medicine,” compares Tennessee’s laws and regulations around pharmacists to recent reforms in other states, including Florida, Iowa, Kansas and Idaho. By enacting similar reforms, Tennessee policymakers can expand access to health care.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
HB 132 (3rd Substitute), permitting pharmacists or pharmacy interns to engage in therapeutic substitution pursuant to a request or consent by a patient, passed the Senate and is eligible to be sent to Gov. Spencer Cox (R).
Also in Utah, HB 425 (1st Substitute), legislation related to PBM and health insurance reforms, passed the House Business and Labor Committee. The bill includes provisions related to pharmacy network requirements for health benefit plans, modified requirements for pharmacy audits and pharmaceutical manufacturer rebates applied at the point of sale.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
On February 28, the Board of Pharmacy will be holding its regularly scheduled meeting at 9:00 am. The agenda has been posted.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
E2SSB 5213, PBM reform legislation pharmacy supports, continues to advance. The bill passed the Senate and was referred to the House Health and Wellness Committee where it passed on February 21 by a vote of 11-6.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
HB 173, legislation related to the inclusion of retail pharmacies as in-network providers, failed a vote to be introduced. In an even-numbered year, bills in Wyoming must pass a vote in order to be formally introduced.
Also in Wyoming, SF 0100, legislation related to prompt payment of clean pharmacy claims, passed the Senate Committee of the Whole (COW) on February 21.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
NACDS submitted a letter to the Senate Finance and Commerce Committee in support of SB 1165, expanding PBM reforms in the state. The bill would prohibit PBMs from deploying discriminatory reimbursement practices that favor pharmacies affiliated with and under common control of the PBM over other, non-affiliated, network pharmacy providers. Additionally, the bill also includes provisions that would strengthen the state’s existing laws for audits conducted by PBMs, preventing PBMs from engaging in audit practices that penalize pharmacy providers for clerical or administrative issues on claims for covered medications that otherwise are payable.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Legislation pharmacies are supporting, HB 24-1045, which includes language in Sections 7 and 8 on pharmacy treatment and payment for substance use disorders (SUDs) is scheduled for a hearing on February 20 in the House Health and Human Services Committee.
Also in Colorado, the Colorado Pharmacists Society’s (CPS) Pharmacy Day at the Capitol is February 28.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Family and Social Services Administration’s (FSSA) Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) provided pharmacy updates approved by the Drug Utilization Board.
Also in Indiana, SB 192, legislation allowing a pharmacist to administer any immunization that is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) under a drug order, a prescription or a physician protocol, died in the House Appropriations Committee. Current law restricts the types of vaccines that can be administered under a physician protocol.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
