Nevada
The Board of Pharmacy is meeting on January 17-18 in Las Vegas and posted its agenda.
Also in Nevada, more than 80 new laws went into effect on January 1.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
New Mexico
The legislature will convene its 30-day short session on January 16.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
New York
NYRx, the New York Medicaid Pharmacy Benefit Program, issued this update regarding the NYRx BLTG (Brand Less Than Generic) Program for Flovent® and Advair®.
Also in New York, the Board of Pharmacy sent out two updates on January 2:
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Oklahoma
The state filed a motion with the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in PCMA v. Mulready asking the appellate court to stay the lower court’s enforcement of its original decision striking down the state’s PBM law, considering the state’s planned Supreme Court review of the appellate court’s refusal to overturn that lower court decision. While such a request is not often granted, a stay is needed to ensure the state can enforce its PBM laws while it petitions the Supreme Court for further review.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Oregon
The Prescription Drug Affordability Board posted a draft agenda for the January 17 meeting. Board calendar and materials from past meetings are also available online.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Rhode Island
Please see the most recent Medicaid Provider Update (January 2024). All provider updates dated back to 2019 are available online.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
South Carolina
The Legislature convened on January 9. Legislation regarding reimbursement and scope issues that carried over from the 2023 session are expected to be heard during the 2024 session.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Tennessee
The Tennessee Nonresidential Buprenorphine Treatment Guidelines, providing details about medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in Tennessee, were recently updated following review by the Commissioners of TDMHSAS (Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services) and TDH (Department of Health).
Also in Tennessee, the Department of Health released an article, “Racial Disparities in Adolescent Flu Immunization Rates,” highlighting public health concerns as factors such as socioeconomic status, limited access to health care, mistrust of medical systems and systemic barriers disproportionately affect minority communities and their immunization coverage rates.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott (R) appointed Mike McKinney, M.D., Golinda Erowele, PharmD, and Tony Schell to the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative Governing Board. McKinney will serve as the Chair of the Board tasked with developing a business plan to provide cost effective drugs and other medical supplies for the public employee sector.
Also in Texas, the Governor reappointed two chain pharmacists, Rick Fernandez with Walgreens, and Julie Spier with Albertsons Companies to additional 6-year terms to the State Board of Pharmacy. Gov. Abbott also appointed two new members to the Board, Randy Martin, a pharmacist and clinical services manager at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, and public member Garrett Marquis, chief communications officer for the Bank of New York Mellon.
Also in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) alerted providers that beginning January 1, 2024, the managed care organization Amerigroup, began operating under a new name Wellpoint.
Finally in Texas, the State Board of Pharmacy updated licensing and renewal fees effective January 1, 2024. Fees for pharmacists and pharmacies have increased, but there was no change to pharmacy technician fees. The Board of Pharmacy also established new fees for remote pharmacies.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.