Maine
On June 5, the Board of Pharmacy met for its regular monthly meeting. Of note on the agenda was a discussion of board obligations for permanent pharmacy closures.
Also in Maine, on June 5, the Appropriations Committee voted to remove the Governor’s proposed pharmacy tax of $.70 per prescription from the budget. The budget bill will be moved by the Appropriations Committee upon review of all sections, then sent to both chambers of the legislature for action. A budget is needed before the fiscal year ends June 30.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Massachusetts
On June 5, the Board of Registration in Pharmacy met for its regular monthly meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for August 7.
On June 10, the Joint Committee on Financial Services held a hearing on several PBM bills. Of particular interest, the committee heard testimony on H.1234, an Act Relative to Pharmacy Benefit Managers, that was introduced by Rep. John Lawn (D), the Chair of Health Care Finance and sponsor of the PBM law from the previous session.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Minnesota
This week, the General Assembly passed SF 6/HF2, including pharmacy’s language to restructure the Medicaid managed care pharmacy benefit under a state-directed, non-conflicted, transparent single PBM, like the Ohio and Kentucky models. The Department is required to implement the model by January 1, 2027, which mandates an AAC (National Average Drug Acquisition Cost or Minnesota actual acquisition cost) + $11.55 Professional Dispensing Fee (PDF) payment rate. The bill also includes a $4.50 “directed payment” to supplement current PDFs through the end of 2026. To qualify, the pharmacy must attest to having less than 13 locations, or be in a federally designated medically underserved area, or primarily serve an underserved population. Lastly, the bill also extends audio-only telehealth allowances to providers through Fiscal Year 2027; this applies to reimbursements for claims with private plans, Medicaid and MinnesotaCare. Many thanks to our members and pharmacy partners, especially the Minnesota Retailers’ Association and the Minnesota Pharmacy Alliance, for taking the lobbying lead on-the-ground in St. Paul. NACDS will update members when Gov. Tim Walz (D) signs the bill and when the Department provides guidance on applying for the “directed payment” supplement.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Missouri
The Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) renewed the naloxone standing order with a June 2, 2026, expiration date.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Nebraska
The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, in partnership with the State Board of Health, is seeking members for 25 professional healthcare boards, including the Board of Pharmacy. Applications are now being accepted for one pharmacist member on the Board of Pharmacy. The term begins on December 1, 2025, and ends on November 30, 2030. Details are available online. Please note the deadline for submission of an application and all supporting documentation is August 1.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
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’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
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’ 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.