Missouri
SB 878, legislation expanding pharmacists’ scope authority for CLIA-waived tests, ordering and administering vaccines and allowing for prescribing certain types of medical equipment, passed both houses and was sent to Gov. Mike Kehoe (R).
Finally in Missouri, the General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn on May 15.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Nevada
The Board of Pharmacy’s next hybrid meeting is on June 3 and 4 in Las Vegas.
Also in Nevada, the Board of Pharmacy will hold a Public Hearing on June 4 to discuss the Proposed Rule regulating workforce, establishing certain requirements governing the staffing of certain pharmacies, including revising the number of pharmaceutical technicians or pharmaceutical technicians in training that a pharmacist is authorized to supervise, depending on the type of pharmacy in which the pharmacist is working.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Oklahoma
NACDS sent Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) a letter urging him to sign SB 1565, a bill aimed at expanding maternal health and nutrition services for SoonerCare Medicaid beneficiaries through better access to “Food is Medicine” interventions.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Ohio
The Board of Pharmacy distributed a notice announcing that on June 9, they will activate a PMP [Prescription Monitoring Program] Gateway feature called provider authorization. On that date anyone without an active Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System (OARRS) user account or an account with missing or inaccurate information will lose access. Please refer to the notice for instructions on how to update or create an account.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Oregon
The Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) posted its agenda materials for the May 20 meeting. Check the PDAB website for updates prior to the meeting. Register in advance.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Pennsylvania
The Department of Insurance (PID) announced the launch of a new online portal specifically for pharmacies to submit complaints related to the enforcement of Act 77, the 2024 PBM commercial market reform law. The new portal is intended to create a single, streamlined submission form that collects all required information and allows pharmacies to file complaints related to clawbacks, steering, rebates, reimbursement and specialty drug designations. NACDS encourages members to test the portal and share your feedback with Jill McCormack.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
South Carolina
Federal law requires all providers who order, refer or prescribe (ORP) services or items for Medicaid members to be enrolled in respective state Medicaid programs. Currently, pharmacists are notified at point of sale if prescriptions were written by a non-enrolled Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) provider with the statement “prescriber enrollment is required in SC’s Medicaid program.” Pharmacists that dispense vaccines and naloxone through South Carolina protocols without a prescription are required to be enrolled in South Carolina’s Healthy Connections Medicaid program. Please refer to information provided by the South Carolina Pharmacy Association.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
California
The Department of Health Care Services posted the following on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Colorado
HB26-1336, legislation that expands access to pharmacy healthcare services and authorizes payment for these services for both Medicaid and commercial patients, passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and awaits a final vote by the Senate. The bill enables children 12 years of age and under to receive test-and-treat services directly from pharmacies. It also allows pharmacy technicians, under pharmacist supervision, to perform final product verification and other technical, non-discretionary tasks.
Also in Colorado, the Board of Pharmacy released Volume 18, Winter 2026 and Volume 19, Spring 2026 of its newsletter providing updates on regulatory developments and Board activities.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Connecticut
HB 5375 was passed by the Legislature this week and is expected to be signed into law by Gov. Ned Lamont (D). The legislation, which has been an NACDS priority for the 2026 session, prohibits an insurance carrier from denying pharmacy reimbursement based solely on a provider’s license type for any “covered clinical service” that falls within a pharmacist’s scope and is otherwise eligible for reimbursement when performed by a physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Florida
The Department of Health announced a new licensure experience for health care practitioners on April 29.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Kansas:
HB 2068, an omnibus bill incorporating key pharmacy-supported provisions from HB 2676, HB 2740, SB 322 and SB 431, passed both legislative chambers and was signed into law by Governor Laura Kelly (D). The bill expands pharmacists’ prescribing authority under standard of care regulations and permits remote pharmacy services by pharmacy technicians.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Maryland
The Prescription Drug Advisory Board is soliciting comments on proposed revisions to COMAR 14.01.04 (cost study process). Written comments are due by 12:00 noon on May 8 to pdab.regs@maryland.gov. For more information, visit the Board’s website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Minnesota
Last week, CMS approved the state’s application to direct a state-funded supplemental dispensing fee of $4.50 to pharmacies not owned by a PBM and located in HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration) medically underserved areas. The $4.50 per prescription payments apply to Medicaid Managed Care prescriptions filled on or after July 1, 2025. The program is a result of a 2025 state budget provision NACDS helped develop as a safety net for pharmacies until cost-based reimbursement is implemented under the Single PBM model. NACDS will continue collaborating with the Department of Health and Human Services while they develop the state’s application and disbursement procedures, with an eye on maximizing member participation. In addition, NACDS is supporting current legislation that would amend the law to continue the payments until the Single PBM delayed implementation date in 2028.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Nevada
The Board of Pharmacy’s next hybrid meeting is on June 3 and 4 in Las Vegas.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
North Carolina
Medicaid announced the NC Medicaid Pharmacy Benefits Administrator (PBA) system has successfully gone live. As you begin submitting POS claims, please note that the new PBA system strictly adheres to NCPDP requirements. Pharmacies are strongly encouraged to refer to the Payer Specification when submitting POS claims to ensure claims are billed correctly in alignment with NCPDP standards. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Prime Pharmacy Call Center at 844‑620‑6116.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Ohio
The results of the primary election held May 5 are as follows:
- Republican Vivek Ramaswamy won the Gubernatorial by over 85% of the vote. He, along with his Lt. Gov running mate Rob McColley will face Democrat Amy Acton in the general election. Acton and her running mate, David Pepper, ran unopposed.
- Republican Keith Faber, current State Auditor and former President of the Ohio Senate, ran unopposed for Attorney General and will face Democratic nominee John Kulewicz in November.
- General Assembly incumbents all won their elections.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Oklahoma
NACDS posted an NACDS RxIMPACT action alert, urging Oklahomans to contact their State Representative and State Senator to override Gov. Kevin Stitt's (R) veto of critical PBM reform legislation, SB 2074, which sets a minimum reimbursement rate based on NADAC and requires a dispensing fee equal to or greater than the Medicaid fee-for-service rate.
Also in Oklahoma, NACDS sent Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) a letter urging him to sign SB 401, a Food is Medicine bill that grants the Oklahoma Health Care Authority the authority to accept, receive and expend federal funds, grants, cooperative agreements or demonstration model funding awarded by CMS. This model will provide nutrition support services to eligible women who have a diet-related condition or a disease that may contribute to a high-risk pregnancy or birth complications. Nutrition services will include medically tailored home-delivered meals and may also include nutritional counseling, although recipients are not required to undergo counseling to receive the meals.
Also in Oklahoma, NACDS sent a letter to Gov. Stitt, urging him to sign three additional PBM reform bills: SB 1500, SB 1447 and SB 2007. Collectively, these measures aim to address persistent issues related to PBM marketplace manipulation and ensure Oklahomans continue to have reliable, convenient access to their trusted community pharmacies.
Finally in Oklahoma, NACDS sent a letter to Gov. Stitt, urging him to sign SB 1565, legislation that will strengthen maternal healthcare and nutrition services for Medicaid beneficiaries through participation in the federal Transforming Maternal Health Model.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Oregon
The Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) posted its draft agenda for the May 20 meeting. Check the PDAB website for updates prior to the meeting. Register in advance.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Pennsylvania
The Department of Human Services (DHS)issued a bulletin regarding the implementation of the Qualitrac® provider portal for prior authorization and program exception submissions.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
South Carolina
The Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) issued Medicaid Bulletin (MB #26-013), reminding all enrolled Medicaid providers of the importance of safeguarding provider identifiers, login credentials and all information associated with Medicaid enrollment. Unauthorized access to provider information can result in fraudulent billing, inappropriate account changes and potential program integrity concerns.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Tennessee
Please review TennCare’s recent updates to the Preferred Drug List (PDL), including changes to prior authorization (PA) criteria and quality limits that were effective May 1. These updates may affect medication coverage, utilization management and prescribing processes across several therapeutic areas for patients with TennCare coverage.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
California
The Department of Health Care Services posted the following on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Connecticut
HB 5044, a bill to delink pharmacist immunization administration authority and coverage from ACIP, was passed by the Legislature late last week and was signed into law by Gov. Ned Lamont (D) on April 27. The legislation has been a priority for NACDS and the American Disease Prevention Coalition for the 2026 legislative session.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Florida
The Board of Pharmacy announced that the Uniform MPJE™ (UMPJE™) will be implemented June 1, 2026. This change affects the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination required for pharmacy licensure in Florida.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.