Gov. Maura Healey (D) released her Fiscal Year 2025 budget. Included in the proposal are the following policy changes impactful to retail pharmacies: 

  • Authorizing pharmacies to administer injections for those persons with prescriptions for testosterone for gender affirming care and for treatment of sexually transmitted infections. This language builds on the previous expansion of pharmacist practice that authorized pharmacists to administer medications for the treatment of behavioral health conditions and substance use disorders. 
  • Enabling pharmacies to fill prescriptions for expedited partner therapy beyond the current authorization for Chlamydia to include other sexually transmitted infections based on national standards including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines. 
  • Increasing the maximum fill for certain classes of medication to increase access, including testosterone for gender-affirming care, stimulants for ADD (attention deficit disorder)/ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and medications for opioid use disorder which do not have a potential for abuse. 
  • Authorizing a standing order for prenatal vitamins and oral contraceptives so that federal financial participation is available for these products when pharmacies dispense them to MassHealth members and persons whose claims are paid by the Health Safety Net. 
  • Eliminating co-payments for persons enrolled in the Children’s Medical Security Plan.  
  • Authorizing MassHealth to negotiate drug rebate agreements for drugs not subject to the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program such as certain non-drug products and durable medical equipment (DME). 

The Governor’s proposal will be considered and redrafted by the House Committee on Ways and Means over the next two months.  

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.