Nebraska
The Department of Health and Human Services posted the Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board draft meeting minutes from May 7.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
New York
On May 21, the Senate Committee on Higher Education reported favorably S9186, a bill to update shared pharmacy services. The bill will establish conditions under which resident or non-resident pharmacists and pharmacies may participate in shared pharmacy services. S9186 has previously passed the Assembly. NACDS will continue to advocate for final passage of the bill in the Senate.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Oregon
The Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) has extended the deadline for the Upper Payment Limit (UPL) survey. The survey is being used to gather information about concerns, challenges, impacts, and opportunities related to the UPL process in Oregon. If you have not yet submitted a response, please do so by May 31. You can access the survey at the following location: https://mslc.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_39ijG1FM8LzFDMy
Please send any questions to the project team at PDAB@DCHB.Oregon.gov.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Tennessee
On May 17, CMS approved Tennessee’s request to amend its Medicaid section 1115 demonstration, “TennCare III.” This amendment significantly changes its coverage and benefits, including eligibility for parents and caretaker relatives, introducing a new benefit to cover diapers for infants under the pharmacy benefit, enhancing home and community-based services (HCBS) focusing on employment supports and more. The Tennessee Pharmacy Association will work closely with TennCare leadership as the diaper program logistics are finalized.
Also in Tennessee, the Tennessee Pharmacists Association invites pharmacy teams to learn about the Department of Health (TDH) Health Trailblazers Initiative, a program aimed at enhancing the well-being of adult and perinatal populations by fostering vaccine confidence in clinical settings. This initiative seeks to build a collaborative network of healthcare providers dedicated to improving immunization practices and outcomes. Register now to join an informational session on May 28 from 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm CT.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Texas
NACDS attended the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute’s Healthcare Policy Summit in Austin. Led by Republican Senators Pete Flores and Kelly Hancock and Representatives James Frank and Dr. Tom Oliverson, the program focused on exploring how to best expand the scope of practice for medical professionals to increase access to high-quality, affordable healthcare services for all Texans. Panelists Kevin Host with Walmart, Jay Bueche with HEB and Samatha Pickering with Walgreens, educated lawmakers and regulators on the value of pharmacists and pharmacies. A second panel addressed what steps legislators need to take to ease the regulatory burdens that drive up costs for consumers and employers.
Pictured left to right – Sen. Pete Flores (R), NACDS Chairman of the Board Kevin Host and Texas Rep. Dr. Tom Oliverson
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Vermont
On May 22, the Board of Pharmacy held its regular monthly meeting. The agenda included a legislative update, license review and an election for a new vice chair. The rules revisions the board has been working on will be sent soon to the Interagency Committee on Administrative Rules. The next meeting will be held June 24.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Alabama
The 2024 Legislative Session has adjourned. A Legislative Study Group is being developed over the summer to address the PBM issues in Alabama.
Also in Alabama, as a reminder, federal regulations require states to conduct a fingerprint-based criminal background check on providers or any person with five percent or more direct or indirect ownership interest in the provider who meets any of the criteria listed in the ALERT pursuant to 42 C.F.R. § 455.450.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Alaska
HB 226D, comprehensive legislation pharmacies supported to ensure patient choice of pharmacy, improve transparency and accountability in pharmacy benefit management and enhance the standards for pharmaceutical care across the state, passed the legislature and was sent to Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) to sign into law.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Arizona
The Board of Pharmacy posted its recent newsletter.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.