The PBM reform bill that passed the Senate earlier this month was amended in the House and continues to advance E2SSB 5213 through the legislative process despite the false claims that this bill would cost the state of Washington almost $239 million in excess drug spending in year one, and as high over $2.7 billion over the next 10 years. The bill is on the House calendar and must be voted out by 5:00 pm on March 1. If that occurs, the bill will be returned to the Senate for concurrence with amendments added in the House Health and Wellness Committee last week. 

Also in Washington, the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) posted the agenda for the March 7 meeting. 

Also in Washington, register now for the Apple Health quarterly online seminar on March 7 aimed at providing HCA (Health Care Authority) partners with information about current Apple Health (Medicaid) programs and program updates. 

Also, in Washington, responsible pharmacy managers or equivalent managers of pharmaceutical firms must conduct an annual self-inspection in March and within 30 days of naming a new responsible pharmacy manager. The self-inspections are to be completed on Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission provided worksheets. 

Finally in Washington, the Department of Health Prescription Monitoring Program is hosting a rulemaking workshop on March 19 to clarify the rules defining the concepts of “sold”, “dispense”, “filled” and “distributed”. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.