The New York State Legislature adjourned on June 11 after passing a flurry of proposals in the last hours.  Of particular interest to pharmacy are four bills: 

• A6476A/S4807A authorizes pharmacists to provide current immunizations, which are recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to patients eighteen years or older according to a standing order with a physician or NP. The bill also creates a regulatory process for vaccines approved in the future through the State Health Department and Education Department. 
• A7598/S6603 allows patients to utilize their pharmacy of choice under Medicaid managed care and have a choice in receiving medications by delivery or mail from their local pharmacy across insurance lines. The bill would also make the Fee for Service reimbursement rate for pharmacies apply to Medicaid managed care.   
• A1396/S3762 requires licensure for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and specifies their duties and obligations as service providers, regulated to the State Department of Financial Services and Department of Health.  
• A5854A/S3566 clarifies and strengthens provisions in current law to ensure that patients have the option to access every covered medication from a local network participating pharmacy and are not forced into mandatory mail order if the pharmacy accepts the same reimbursement.   

Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) has until December 31, 2021, to sign the proposals into law.  

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