On December 29, 2025, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) became aware of a preliminary injunction issued by the US District Court in Maine blocking the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) from implementing the 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program, which was set to begin on January 1, 2026, pending further legal action. The preliminary injunction applies to the implementation of the 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program in the state. In light of the issuance of the preliminary injunction, DHCS will not implement the policy guidance previously provided specific to the drugs that are part of the 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program until further notice. Accordingly, providers should continue submitting Medi-Cal Rx and medical claims, as applicable, consistent with all existing Medi-Cal 340B billing policies.
Also in California, required system upgrades to the Medicaid Management Information System (CA-MMIS) are scheduled to take place on January 11. The upgrade may go into an extended maintenance period, which begins at midnight on January 11 and may continue through 10:00 am on January 11. During the extended window, the Medi-Cal Point of Service (POS), Automated Eligibility Verification System (AEVS), Leased Line vendors, Case Management Information and Payrolling System (CMIPS) and certain Transactions Services on the Medi-Cal Providers website applications may experience intermittent issues.
Also in California, as announced last year, CalRx partnered with Civica to make insulin more affordable and accessible statewide. Beginning January 1, 2026, CalRx/Civica Insulin Glargine pens will be available to California pharmacies at a cost of $45 per 5-pack of 3 mL pens, with a suggested maximum retail price of no more than $55 for consumers. To help patients locate pharmacies that plan to carry CalRx insulin, CalRx intends to publicly post participating pharmacy locations; see CalRx Pharmacy Survey to provide input. For more information, see resources listed below. For additional questions, please contact CalRx (info@calrx.ca.gov) or Civica (insulinquestions@civicarx.org).
- Pharmacy Fact Sheet (key details about the product, ordering and distribution)
- CalRx® Insulin Glargine Patient Flyer(this is a pdf file)
- CalRx® Insulin Glargine Patient FAQs(this is a pdf file)
- CalRx® Biosimilar Insulin Fact Sheet: English(this is a pdf file), Chinese-Simplified(this is a pdf file), Chinese-Traditional(this is a pdf file), Korean(this is a pdf file), Spanish(this is a pdf file), Tagalog(this is a pdf file), Vietnamese(this is a pdf file)
- Biosimilar Insulin Agreement with Civica Foundation(this is a pdf file)
- Biosimilar Insulin Agreement with Civica Foundation Amendment 1(this is a pdf file)
Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy published its Board of Pharmacy News Roundup (January 2026). Please review the news in its entirety for important updates and information.
Finally in California, the Board of Pharmacy seeks to remind affected licensees about Proposition 34, a ballot initiative that was approved by the voters in November 2024. Proposition 34 added the Protect Patients Now Act of 2024 (Act) to the Welfare and Institutions Code (see sections 14124.39-14124.52). Among its provisions, the Act establishes requirements for a “Prescription Drug Price Manipulator” (as defined in subdivision (l) of WIC section 14124.48) to report specified information to certain agencies, including the Board, by no later than April 30, 2026. Public comments related to the Act, and information relating to entities that qualify as Prescription Drug Price Manipulators, may be submitted to Prop34@dca.ca.gov.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.