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’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
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’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
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’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
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.
Texas
The Legislature adjourned its biennial session on June 2.
Also in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed into law SB 1236, by Sen. Bryan Hughes (R) and Rep. Cody Harris (R), PBM reform legislation that provides fair and transparent contract protections for pharmacies, requires that a group number identifying the plan be on the enrollee's identification card, enhances audit protections and ensures compliance with existing laws. It will take effect on September 1, 2025.
Also in Texas, despite our efforts to successfully negotiate a compromise bill with the Texas Medical Association (TMA) and the Texas Pediatric Society and overcome the toxic anti-vaxxer environment and the Lt. Governor's prohibition on referring House bills that had more Democrat votes than Republicans, it was the strong opposition by grocers and the food industry opposing SB 25, Sen. Lois Kolkhorst's priority bill that killed HB 3540, legislation that would have allowed pharmacists to order and administer immunizations, and technicians to vaccinate.
Also in Texas, HB 3441, legislation amending current law relating to the liability of vaccine manufacturers that advertise a harmful vaccine, was sent to Gov. Greg Abbott (R).
Finally in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has until June 2 to sign or veto any bills sent to him. If he does not sign or veto a bill within this period, it will automatically become law.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Wyoming
Gov. Mark Gordon (R) announced the appointment of Ryan Schelhaas as interim Attorney General beginning May 28. Schelhaas’ appointment follows the departure of Attorney General Bridget Hill, who will join the Wyoming Supreme Court as its newest justice. Schelhaas joined the Wyoming Attorney General’s office in 2003, and he has served as Chief Deputy Attorney General since 2019. He previously spent more than a decade in the Civil Division of the Attorney General’s office including as both Deputy and Section Supervisor. Before joining the Attorney General’s Office, Schelhaas worked as a civil litigator at Hirst Applegate in Cheyenne. Schelhaas earned his Bachelors and Juris Doctorate degrees from the University of Wyoming.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
California
This week, the Board of Pharmacy issued the following communication: As you may be aware, Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy in October 2023, resulting in the closure of several locations nationwide. On May 5, Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy again and is in the process of selling assets, including prescriptions, to other pharmacies.
The Board is closely monitoring the Rite Aid bankruptcy proceedings and anticipated pharmacy closures in California. The Board strongly encourages pharmacies to consider if they may be impacted by Rite Aid closures in their respective areas and, if so, to begin taking steps to assist patients who may be seeking pharmacy services.
The Board also reminds licensees that Business and Professions Code section 4064 establishes provisions for emergency refill of prescriptions without prescriber authorization under specified conditions. It may be helpful to recommend patients bring in their prescription containers when seeking an emergency refill.
As more information is received, updates will be shared on the Board's website https://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/.
Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy posted to its website a Fact Sheet about the California Medication Error Reporting (CAMER) Pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 4113.1 including high level data reporting elements. Please note: the Board advises licensees that medication errors that occur on or after September 1, 2025, must be reported to the CAMER system. To view, visit www.pharmacy.ca.gov, scroll down to "What's New" and click on the link "California Medication Error Reporting (CAMER) Pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 4113.1".
Also in California, the Department of Health Care Service posted the following alerts on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:
Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following:
Finally in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) released the revised 2025-26 State Budget, known as the May Revision. The May Revision proposes multiple programmatic changes to the pharmacy benefit by implementing a pharmacy rebate aggregator to secure rebates for the undocumented immigrant population; eliminating over-the-counter (OTC) coverage of certain drug classes, including COVID-19 antigen tests, OTC vitamins, and certain antihistamines including dry eye products; eliminating glucagon-like peptide-1 coverage (GLP-1) for weight loss effective January 1, 2026; and implementing utilization management and prior authorization for prescription drugs in Medi-Cal. It also proposes statutory changes to establish licensure and data reporting requirements for PBMs with the aim to increase transparency, understand cost drivers, and develop approaches to improve prescription drug affordability; details will be available in the Department of Managed Health Care's trailer bill language. Also, Gov. Newsom announced changes in coverage for undocumented immigrants beginning in 2026, just a year after expanding Medi-Cal access to undocumented immigrants of all ages.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Connecticut
The legislation that has been proposed by the bi-partisan and bi-cameral Prescription Drug Task Force earlier this year continues to progress. SB 11 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Finance and HB 7192 is currently on the house calendar. HB 7192 aims to enhance the accountability and transparency of PBMs and health carriers, implementing recommendations from the Bipartisan Drug Task Force. NACDS participated in the task force and submitted testimony when both bills had hearings. NACDS will continue to advocate for PBM policy priorities throughout the legislative session.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.