Arizona
Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) issued Executive Order 2024-03 “Protecting Reproductive Freedom Through Increased Access to Contraception.”
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
California
This week, SB 966 (Wiener) passed the Senate floor with a vote 39-0-1. SB 966 includes provisions that would prohibit the use of “spread pricing”. The bill would also provide other vital reforms, including requiring 100% pass-through of manufacturer rebates to plan sponsors to keep patient premiums low, prohibiting the steering of patients to PBM-affiliated pharmacies and requiring PBMs to obtain a license to operate in the state.
Also in California, SB 1365, legislation increasing the pharmacist to pharmacy technician to 1:4, was placed on the suspense file by the Senate Appropriations Committee and, subsequently, held in committee.
Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following alert and weekly report on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal.
Also in California, as a reminder, this will be the final opportunity to attest for the upcoming fiscal year 2024-2025. For details, review “Pharmacy Provider Dispensing Fee Self-Attestation”. All attestations must be received by May 31 to be accepted. Attestations will not be accepted after closing on May 31; there are no exceptions.
Also in California, the Medi-Cal Rx Diagnosis Crosswalk Navigation, video and the Medi-Cal Rx Reinstatement – Implementation of Reject Code 80 video have been published.
Finally in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Florida
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed HB 7072, the Tax Package for Fiscal Year 2024-25. The package provides $1.07 billion dollars in tax relief and includes several sales tax holidays that provide Floridians with substantial sales tax relief.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Iowa
As a reminder, the cost of dispensing survey was to be mailed to pharmacies on May 22 and the deadline to respond is July 31. For details, see the Department of Health and Human Services, Iowa Medicaid’s INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 2584-MC-FFS Pharmacy Cost of Dispensing Survey 2024.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Louisiana
The Senate passed HB 579, the PEP/PrEP bill, as amended by a vote of 38-0. The bill now goes back to the House to concur with the Senate amendments.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Maine
The Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda for its next scheduled meeting on June 6.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Maryland
At its May 20 meeting, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board selected six prescriptions drugs for cost review studies.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Minnesota
The Department of Health (MDH) recently released the Minnesota Prescription Drug Transparency: 2024 Report to the Minnesota Legislature (PDF). The report presents analysis of information reported to MDH through June 2023, provides a summary and timeline for the implementation of new work and assesses the Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act’s (the Act) progress toward statutory goals. Key findings from this report include:
- There is notable interest in public data on drug prices, including from health care payers in Minnesota. In 2023, MDH saw more than 6,500 visits to its web pages dedicated to prescription drug price transparency.
- Price increases of reportable drugs affect many Minnesotans. More than 75,000 people living in the state used these drugs in 2022. Collectively, the increases contributed to additional health care spending of more than $53.2 million in 2022.
- Overall, many pricing trends are in line with previous reports. However, one notable departure is that data show prices for new drug introductions increased significantly with many new drug products priced over $3 million.
- Among the most expensive drugs reported, the prices for these drugs in Minnesota were higher than prices for the same drugs internationally.
- Many drug manufacturers continue to be out of compliance with the full requirements of the Act. Approximately 33% of reports have not been submitted (99 distinct manufacturers are delinquent for 775 total reports), and all reports have data quality issues upon initial submission.
MDH will continue to release updates on implementation on the MDH Rx Price Transparency website. For questions, please email health.rx@state.mn.us.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Montana
The Department of Labor and Industry is looking for a pharmacist to serve in a new third inspector position for the Board of Pharmacy. This position is responsible for performing pharmacy inspections around the state, issuing inspection reports, verifying licensure of pharmacy personnel and facilities, verifying compliance with state and federal statutes and regulations, and communicating with a variety of licensees and stakeholders. The application closing date is May 30. The job posting and instructions for applying are available online. If you have any questions, please contact Marcie Bough, Executive Officer, at (406) 841-2371.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.