HB 1568, legislation granting pharmacists independent prescriptive authority of a drug product, was amended in the Committee on Public Health to include a requirement for Medicaid to pursue a state plan amendment for payment for pharmacy services for the non-dispensing activities associated with prescribing a contraceptive. The bill was passed by the House by a vote of 167-86-12, and it is currently awaiting further action in the Senate Health and Provider Services Committee. The Family and Social Services Administration (Medicaid) has confirmed that with this authority they would pursue a state plan amendment (SPA) that would encompass all non-dispensing, clinical pharmacist services for reimbursement under Medicaid.

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