Nevada
The Legislature adjourned its biennial session on June 2.
Also in Nevada, Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) signed into law SB 389, a bill that requires the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to select and contract with a single PBM to manage Medicaid pharmacy and establish methodologies for the payment of and rates of reimbursement for prescription drugs. The bill also required DHHS to approve PBM contracts.
Also in Nevada, SB 316, a PBM reform bill that would have ended below-cost reimbursements for non-ERISA plans, passed the Senate, was amended in the Assembly, and died on the Senate calendar awaiting a vote. Through a series of maneuvers and a filibuster, the GOP minority stalled all action on the Senate floor, late in the evening of June 2, sine die. This unexpected maneuver prevented the approval of the PBM reform bill.
Finally in Nevada, the Board of Pharmacy met in Las Vegas on June 5 and 6.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
New York
On June 11, the New York Register published a Notice of Adoption by the Workers’ Compensation Board related to Network Pharmacies. The adopted rule provides guidance about when injured workers can obtain prescribed medication outside of the network. It takes effect on July 11.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
North Carolina
Effective May 20, the Pharmacy and Medical Boards approved slight changes to the statewide protocol governing pharmacist initiation of hormonal contraceptive therapy. The North Carolina Association of Pharmacists' Hormonal Contraceptive Toolkit has been updated to reflect these changes, and the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists (NCAP) produced an excellent short video explaining the changes.
Also in North Carolina, broader guidance on qualifying immunizing pharmacists' authority to initiate certain drug therapy is available online at the Board of Pharmacy's website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Texas
The Board of Pharmacy rule on removing the pharmacy technician ratio that was adopted at the May board meeting was published in the Texas Register on May 23 and effective immediately.
Also in Texas, the Health and Human services Commission's Vendor Drug Program's (Medicaid) biannual specialty drug list was posted.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Washington
Gov. Bob Ferguson (D) appointed Dennis Worsham as the new Secretary of Health, effective July 7.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Arizona
Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) signed SB 1132, legislation directing the Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) (Medicaid) to require its contractors to provide members with continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) through both a pharmacy benefit and a durable medical equipment benefit with specific criteria and requirements for coverage.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
California
The Board of Pharmacy posted agendas for the following meetings:
- Enforcement & Compounding Committee – June 11 Agenda
- Legislation & Regulation Committee – June 11 Agenda
- Communication & Public Education Committee – June 12 Agenda
- Licensing Committee – June 12 Agenda
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Connecticut
The Commission on Pharmacy met on May 28. The agenda included relocation and license requests. The next meeting will be held on June 25.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
District of Columbia
The Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) will host the next quarterly Medicaid pharmacy forum on June 17 and 18. The sessions have identical agendas, and all pharmacy providers operating in DC are welcome. Please see the invite for details.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Illinois
PBM reform passed the General Assembly. HB 1697, creates the Prescription Drug Affordability Act, introduces comprehensive changes to state laws governing pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), prescription drug pricing, pharmacy access and related health insurance requirements. This legislation represents a significant overhaul of prescription drug and PBM regulation in the state, with the goal of improving affordability, access and transparency in the pharmaceutical supply chain. The legislation passed the Senate by a vote of 56-1 and the House by a vote of 115-1-1. It now goes to the Governor for his consideration.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Iowa
The Department of Health and Human Services, Iowa Medicaid posted INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 2686-MC-FFS-D RE: July 2025 Iowa Medicaid Pharmacy Program Changes effective July 1, 2025.
Also in Iowa, the Department of Health and Human Services reported a confirmed case of measles in central Iowa in an unvaccinated adult. The case tested positive through the State Hygienic Laboratory and is the first confirmed case of measles in the state this year, and the first case in Iowa since 2019.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Kentucky
MedImpact, the Medicaid Single PBM, issued an updated preferred diabetic supply and a revised preferred drug list.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Louisiana
The Department of Health (LDH) Secretary Bruce Greenstein and the pharmacy Medicaid staff hosted a pharmacy stakeholders virtual meeting on June 10 to discuss LDH’s plans for transitioning from the costly sole source Prime PBM contract back to multiple Medicaid managed care contracts.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Maryland
Medicaid Fee-for-Service released a bulletin updating its Brand vs Generic Preferred Drug List.
Also in Maryland, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board's (PDAB's) Stakeholder Council will meet virtually on June 23 at 2:00 pm. The agenda and other meeting materials will be available on the Stakeholder Council page prior to the scheduled meeting. Registration is required to receive the meeting link.
Finally in Maryland, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board also released an RFI to inform its cost review process for the drugs Skyrizi and Dupixet. Manufacturers, insurers, pharmacy benefit managers and wholesale distributors are eligible to respond.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Minnesota
The General Assembly will reconvene in a special session before July 1, due to missing the June 1 budget deadline. At that time, we expect them to consider pharmacy's priority issue, reforming the managed care pharmacy benefit under a state directed, transparent, pass-through single PBM. The new structure, similar to Ohio and Kentucky's, is included in both the Senate and House Health Omnibus bills (HF 2435/SF 2669). If adopted, pharmacy reimbursement would be set at Actual Acquisition Cost (AAC) + the current fee-for-service professional dispensing fee. NACDS played a key role in advocating for this structure and successfully secured support from the Administration and Department of Health and Human Services.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Mississippi
Effective, July 1, all OneTouch blood glucose test strips and meters manufactured by LifeScan will be removed from the Medicaid Preferred Diabetic Supplies List (DSL). Please refer to the updated DSL. The Division of Medicaid is providing this courtesy notice to allow providers time to adjust their inventory. Find more Late Breaking News online.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Montana
The Board of Pharmacy posted its June 13 meeting agenda. New agenda items may be added or removed up to forty-eight hours before the meeting. For the most accurate agenda, please consult the website. The Board may reorder the agenda at the beginning of the meeting
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Nebraska
A confirmed measles case in Sheridan County has been reported to the Department of Health and Human Services. The patient is an appropriately vaccinated child with no out-of-state travel history. This is the first confirmed case reported this year.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Nevada
The Legislature adjourned its biennial session on June 2.
Also in Nevada, the legislature sent Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) SB 389, a bill that requires the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to select and contract with a state PBM to manage Medicaid pharmacy and establish methodologies for the payment of and rates of reimbursement for prescription drugs. The bill also requires DHHS to approve PBM contracts.
Also in Nevada, SB 316, the PBM reform bill amended several times that would have ended below-cost reimbursements for non-ERISA plans, prevented steering patients to affiliated pharmacies and enhanced enforcement authority for the Insurance Commissioner, died on the Senate floor due to a Senator filibustering on an unrelated bill, just minutes before the biennial session adjourned sine die at midnight on June 2.
Finally in Nevada, NACDS signed a coalition letter urging Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) to veto AB 259, legislation that would establish maximum fair pricing thresholds. The Governor vetoed a similar bill in 2023.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
New Jersey
On May 28, the Board of Pharmacy held its regular scheduled meeting. The agenda included regular business and a discussion of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) Report of the Task Force to Review Institutional Pharmacy and Compounding Rules. The next meeting will be held on June 25.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
New York
NYRx, the State Medicaid Pharmacy Benefit Program, announced effective June 12, the following changes were made to the Dispense Brand Name Drug When Less Expensive Than the Generic Program:
- Anoro Ellipta®, Motegrity® and Promacta® tablets were be ADDED to the program.
- Glumetza® and Xopenex HFA® were removed from the program. Glumetza® is being removed as it has been discontinued by the manufacturer.
In conformance with State Education Law, a pharmacist shall dispense a less expensive, therapeutically equivalent drug containing the same active ingredients, dosage form and strength as the drug prescribed/ordered. This includes substituting the brand name drug when NYRx has determined it to be the less expensive alternative for the patient. Brand name drugs included in this program:
- Do not require "Dispense as Written" (DAW) or "Brand Medically Necessary" on the prescription.
- Have a generic copayment.
- Are paid at the Brand Name Drug reimbursement rate or usual and customary price, whichever is lower (SMAC/FUL are not applied).
- Do not require a new prescription if the drug is removed from this program.
The NYRx Education & Outreach Call Center is available by phone at 1-833-967-7310 or by email at NYRxEO@primetherapeutics.com from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
The NYRx Education & Outreach team hosts virtual office hours every week for stakeholders to ask questions related to NYRx and care coordination. Visit the NYRx Education & Outreach website for more information.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Ohio
This week, the Senate released an amended version of the state budget bill, HB 96, which did not retain the House's provision requiring a pharmacy commercial rate floor. Both the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) actively opposed the amendment. NACDS continues to collaborate with partners and members to promote commercial PBM reform, with a focus on restoring the pharmacy rate floor during the conference committee process.
Also in Ohio, NACDS also submitted written testimony to the House General Government Operations Committee urging its support for HB 229, requiring PBM licensure and reporting. The bill had its second hearing this week.
Finally in Ohio, Medicaid released an updated preferred diabetic supply list, effective June 1.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Oklahoma
Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) appointed, and the Legislature confirmed Walmart pharmacist Shannon Griggs to serve a five-year term on the Board of Pharmacy, beginning July 1 and expiring June 30, 2030. Griggs is replacing Mark St. Cyr.
Also in Oklahoma, SB 789, a PBM reform bill banning effective rate contracts, providing network transparency and reimbursement appeal protections, was enacted without Gov. Kevin Stitt's (R) signature.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Oregon
The Board of Pharmacy June 11-13, 2025 Board Meeting agenda and meeting materials are now available. On June 11, the board will meet in Executive Session for most of the day and anticipates resuming Open Session around 4:30 pm. On June 12, the board will meet in Executive Session after roll call and anticipates resuming Open Session at 1:00 pm. The board anticipates meeting in Open Session on June 13, and it will break for lunch between 12:00 noon-1:00 pm. Additional meeting materials may be added to the agenda prior to the board meeting. Visit the board website for current meeting materials.
Also in Oregon, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board posted its draft agenda for the June 18 meeting. Register here in advance.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Pennsylvania
The Department of Aging’s PACE pharmacy program released a bulletin updating its non-participating manufacturer list and another related to 340B billing.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.