Massachusetts
NACDS and the Massachusetts Chain Pharmacy Council have begun engaging the governor’s office and legislative leaders on the budget proposal that includes a $2/prescription assessment to help pay for MassHealth pharmacy benefit program.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Nebraska
Tobacco Free Nebraska announced its partnership with the Mayo Clinic’s Nicotine Dependence Center to host Tobacco Treatment Specialist Training in Lincoln.
Tobacco Treatment Specialist (TTS) training is a specialized training for healthcare professionals about providing treatment for individuals seeking to quit tobacco. The program is worth 29 AMA, ANCC, ACPE, or CE credits and covers topics such as pharmacotherapy, motivational interviewing, evidence-based practice, sustaining tobacco treatment protocols and working with special populations. This course is delivered through a blended learning format in which instruction is completed first online through the Brightspace platform as a self-paced training, followed by a live, interactive 3-day training in Lincoln on March 4-6, 2025. The cost of the training registration is funded by Tobacco Free Nebraska, so no cost is associated with registration.
The online portion of training opens January 28 and closes February 28, so individuals are encouraged to register now to have ample time to complete the online portion of the training that is due before participation in the in-person class on March 4-6.
The training is for healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, who have a strong interest in the field of tobacco or health or provide clinical care to people who use tobacco. Participants must be tobacco-free for at least six months prior to starting the training. To complete full certification, 240 practice hours must be completed within two years of the training. Click here for more information on requirements.
Registration is available online. Click “create an account” to begin the registration process. Reach out to Kyla Scott if you have any questions.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Nevada
The Legislature convenes on February 3, 2025.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
North Carolina
Governor Josh Stein (D) announced an executive order that directs cabinet agencies to safeguard medical privacy, ensures women receive accurate information about their pregnancies, and protects doctors providing lawful reproductive health care.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Oklahoma
The Legislature convenes on February 3, 2025.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Oregon
The February 5-7 Board of Pharmacy Meeting agenda and meeting materials are now available. Please note that on February 5, the board will meet in Executive Session immediately after recusal announcements and anticipates resuming Open Session between 4:00-5:00 pm. Also on February 6, the board will meet in Executive Session after roll call and anticipates resuming Open Session between 10:00 am – 12:00 noon. The board will meet in Open Session on February 7. Additional meeting materials may be added to the agenda prior to the board meeting. Visit the board website for current meeting materials.
Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy announced the following board member opportunity: Pharmacist – Board Member. Board members are appointed by Gov. Tina Kotek (D) and each Board member serves at the pleasure of the Governor. Interesting persons my apply to serve on the Board; please visit the Board Member Opportunities page, review ORS 689.115 and apply via Workday. For more information visit the State of Oregon Boards and Commissions website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Pennsylvania
As a result of the passage of Act 77, The Insurance Department (PID) announced a process for pharmacies to dispute a drug’s designation as a “specialty drug” by a PBM or insurer. PID also published a non-binding, non-exclusive list of “specialty drugs,” as well as guidance on how a pharmacy can request a review of a specialty drug designation. This process will be available in 2025 for drugs covered by large group policies issued after October 15, 2024, and by individual and small group policies issued on or after January 1, 2026. Beginning in 2026, PID will also release two annual reports, a Network Adequacy Report is due by April, and a Transparency report will be available by July. These reports will provide critical data on manufacturer rebates and pharmacy reimbursement rates to help identify areas for further action or reform.
NACDS strongly encourages members to review both the proposed list and the complaint process and share your comments with Jill McCormack. We intend to work with PID to help you build and revise the list and to encourage the most efficient process for our members to dispute designations.
PBMs and pharmacies can find more information on Act 77, including a schedule that outlines the Act’s full implementation dates, visit PID’s website. To submit a complaint, contact the PID’s Consumer Services Bureau online or at 1-877-881-6388.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Tennessee
The Board of Pharmacy has released the proposed rules on pharmacist-delegated technician authorities. The Pharmacy Association wants to hear your thoughts on the proposed rules. A rulemaking hearing will take place on February 27th.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Texas
The House of Representatives, under the new leadership of Speaker Dustin Burrows (R), established new rules stating that House committees’ chairmanships will be held by the majority party – Republicans, and the vice chairs will be held by the minority party – Democrats.
Also in Texas, the agenda for the February 4, 2025, Board of Pharmacy meeting is now available. For those note able to attend, the meeting will be Live Streamed.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Vermont
The Vermont Office of Profession Regulation (OPR) is conducting a public hearing on the proposed Pharmacy Administrative Rules update. Public comments are welcome until March 31, 2025. To submit comments, please email sos.opr.comments@vermont.gov.
OPR will also hold three public meetings to invite comment from the public and stakeholders on the draft Administrative Rules. Public hearings will be held at 89 Main Street, 3rd floor, Montpelier, VT 05620. To join the meetings online, see the information below:
Tuesday, February 18, 2025, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 293 389 690 612
Passcode: 9Th7n98t
Dial in by phone
Phone conference ID: 168 777 875#
Wednesday, February 19, 2025, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Meeting ID: 257 060 957 271
Passcode: Hj2ZQ2MN
Dial in by phone
Phone conference ID: 207 994 027#
Thursday, February 20, 2025, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 212 020 234 592
Passcode: RE2J2EA2
Dial in by phone
Phone conference ID: 301 656 014#
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Virginia
Two bills that would require DMAS (Department of Medical Assistance Services) to contract directly with a SPBM to manage the Medicaid managed care pharmacy benefit are quickly advancing this session. NACDS testified in favor of SB 875, sponsored by Sen. Aaron Rouse (D), that was later approved by both the Education and Health Committee and the Finance Committee. The bill now heads to the Senate Floor for a vote. In the House, The Health and Human Services Committee approved HB 2610 and advanced it to the Appropriation Committee. Identical fiscal notes were issued for the bills and they include cost savings estimates. NACDS is working with members, in-state partners and DMAS to support this effort.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Washington
The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission’s February 6, 2025, agenda and meeting materials are available.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Arizona
The Board of Pharmacy posted an agenda for the Virtual Task Force/Stakeholder Meeting being held on January 29 to discussion and consider possible action related to the US Pharmacopeia (USP) – Compounding practice standards.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Arkansas
The Retailers' Day at the Capitol is on January 29.
Also in Arkansas, HB 1150, filed by Rep. Jeremiah Moore (R) and Sen. Kim Hammer (R), prohibits PBMs from owning pharmacies in the state. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Insurance and Commerce.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
California
On January 17, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) issued a news release detailing the Department's work to expand support for Medi-Cal members impacted by the Southern California wildfires. DHCS swiftly implemented key administrative flexibilities to protect Medi-Cal members in affected regions of the state. These efforts included simplified Medi-Cal enrollment and renewal processes, waived requirements to access prescription medications and medical devices and other flexibilities to ensure all Medi-Cal members have access to care during this emergency. Additionally, DHCS is actively seeking further federal flexibilities to expand support for impacted Medi-Cal members and providers.
Also in California, beginning January 17, the federal Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) activated the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) for specific zip codes in California to help uninsured residents replace prescription medicines and/or certain medical equipment lost or damaged in the 2025 Los Angeles Fires. EPAP has been activated through March 15, 2025. To locate participating pharmacies, visit EPAP Enrolled Pharmacies.
Also in California, on January 17, DHCS began hosting a weekly Medi-Cal Rx Pediatric Integration webinar. Webinars will be held every Friday from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm PST to support partner readiness. Partners, including pharmacy providers and prescribers, should plan to attend a webinar prior to the implementation of Medi-Cal Rx Pediatric Integration on January 31. More information is available on the Medi-Cal Rx Education & Outreach webpage.
Finally in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts and weekly notice on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Florida
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) issued an Emergency Order (EO) on January 20, EO 25-13 ,declaring a state of emergency, which allows for state officials to make critical resources available to communities ahead of any potential storm impacts.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Idaho
Additional PBM reforms, including filing of complaints to report PBM non-compliance with PBM laws, went into effect on January 1. Pharmacies may now send complaints to the Department of Insurance either using the online complaint form or emailing them to pbm@doi.idaho.gov.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Louisiana
NACDS serves on the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) Advisory Council that will be meeting on February 5 at the Board of Pharmacy offices in Baton Rouge.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Maine
The 2025 budget proposal by Gov. Janet Mills (D) includes a $.70 per prescription tax. The administration claims the proposal is revenue neutral. NACDS is working with the Retail Association of Maine and the Maine Pharmacists Association to engage the governor’s office to find out the motivation and true impact to pharmacies.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Massachusetts
On January 22, Gov. Maura Healey (D) announced her Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal. The proposal includes two relevant sections for pharmacies:
- The Commonwealth may impose a fee on each prescription dispensed in the state by pharmacies which will include retail, hospital, compounding, specialty and 340B pharmacies. The amount each pharmacy shall pay shall not exceed the lesser of the $2.00 per prescription dispensed by the pharmacy, or an amount equal to 6% of the revenues received by the pharmacy. The Executive Office of Human Services (EOHS) is also given the power to enforce this provision through license suspensions, fines and liens. MassHealth has indicated that these new funds will be used to increase the dispensing fees for all pharmacies that dispense prescriptions in the Fee-for-Service Program and to mandate dispensing fee floors for all pharmacies that participate in the MassHealth MCO pharmacy contracts.
- EOHS will seek to create a Universal Adult Vaccine Program. This proposal would expand the current Childhood Vaccination Purchase Trust Fund and require pharmacies to participate in the new program for providing state-sponsored adult vaccines.
NACDS will continue to work with the Massachusetts Chain Pharmacy Council to engage the administration and legislature. A collective meeting had been scheduled for the end of the month with MassHealth and Mercer on the ongoing cost of dispensing study issues. This meeting and others will be moved up sooner.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Nebraska
The Department of Health and Human Services posted the durable medical equipment, prosthetic, orthotics and medical supplies (DMEPOS) fee schedule effective January 1, 2025, and published 471-000-507 Nebraska Medicaid Practitioner Fee Schedule for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetic, Orthotics and Medical Supplies (DMEPOS).
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Nevada
In advance of the Board of Pharmacy’s Public Hearing on January 16 on proposed rules on minimum staffing requirements, NACDS submitted a letter of concern. Rather than imposing burdensome staffing requirements that could limit pharmacies’ ability to deliver pharmacy care, we urged the Board to focus on policy changes that allow pharmacies to deploy innovative pharmacy care models and technologies that improve pharmacy efficiencies and enhance capacity to deliver the level of care that patients demand.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
New York
On January 21, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) released her budget proposal. The budget includes the following outside sections relevant to pharmacies:
- Pharmacist Vaccinations: Would codify PREP Act authorization for pharmacists to administer a COVID-19 vaccine to children ages 2 years and older.
- Pharmacist Cessation: Would authorize a pharmacist to prescribe and order medications to treat nicotine dependence approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for smoking cessation.
- Pharmacy Tech Vaccinations: Would codify PREP Act authorization for registered pharmacy technicians to administer all vaccines that pharmacists may administer under the supervision of a pharmacist, if they meet training requirements, etc.
- Medical Assistant Vaccinations: Would authorize a medical assistant under the supervision of a physician or a physician's assistant (PA) to administer vaccinations.
- Controlled Substances: Proposes to align the state's controlled substance schedules with the US Drug Enforcement Administration.
- Medication Abortion Labels: Would require pharmacies, at the request of the prescriber, to list only the facility name, not the prescriber's name on prescription pill bottles for mifepristone, misoprostol and other medication abortion drugs.
- Prescriber Prevails: Proposes to eliminate prescriber prevails in Medicaid. The program would have to consider additional information related to coverage, but the program's determination would be final.
- Medicaid Global Spending Cap: Extends the global spending cap one year through 2026-2027.
NACDS will continue to monitor the budget process in the state and advocate for policy priorities.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
South Carolina
The Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) regularly offers free Healthy Connections Medicaid training to enrolled Healthy Connections Medicaid providers and their billing agents. These recurring trainings are conducted by SCDHHS’ contracted vendors. Information about the upcoming February-April trainings and to register for a workshop or find additional training resources, please visit the Medicaid Provider Education website or call the Provider Service Center (PSC) at (888) 289-0709. The PSC’s hours of operation are 7:30 am-5:00 pm Monday-Thursday and 8:30 am-5:00 pm Friday.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Texas
Several bills of interest to pharmacies have been filed.
- SB 254 by Sen. Pete Flores (R) allows pharmacists to order and administer immunizations and vaccinations to patients ages three years and older, and to those younger than three years of age, if referred by a physician. It also gives pharmacist's authority to delegate vaccine administration to a certified pharmacy technician.
- SB 398 by Sen. Kevin Sparks (R) allows a pharmacy technician of a pharmacist's authority to administer an immunization or vaccine under the supervision of a pharmacist.
- SB 623 by Sen. Charles Schwertner (R) gives the pharmacists the right to determine if a vaccine, including a COVID vaccine, should be administered to a patient.
Also in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission's (HHSC) Medicaid Vendor Drug Program (VDP) met with pharmacy stakeholders on January 22. The agenda included updates on the timeline on implementing legislation passed in 2023, and the progress on several pending projects, including adult vaccinations and adding non-drug like Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM) to the Medicaid formulary.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.