The Department of Health Commissioner Hedi Hedberg announced Alaska received the second highest amount of money awarded by the federal government to spend on its Rural Healthcare projects in 2026. Pharmacies interested in learning more about how they can participate in the program need to pre-register for a virtual webinar on January 14 from 9:30 am-11:30 am AKT. You will learn about the Rural Health Transformation Program, including the state’s vision, approved initiative areas, anticipated timelines, what we know to date about the funding process and explore how your community can participate in regional health transformation efforts.

Also in Alaska, the state was awarded the second most discretionary Rural Healthcare Transformation Funds (RHTF) by the federal government – $272,174,856 – to help states redesign rural healthcare systems. The funding is discretionary and tied, in part, to each state’s pharmacist’s scope-of-practice score. Having the legislature pass SB 147B / HB 195A would increase the state’s score to access more federal dollars—supporting hospitals, rural health clinics and behavioral health initiatives statewide. Pharmacies are working closely with the Department of Health Commissioner and the Board of Pharmacy to advance this legislation in 2026.

Finally in Alaska, the Board of Pharmacy currently has one pharmacist vacancy and is anticipating another pharmacist vacancy in March 2026. Please consider applying online to serve on the Board of Pharmacy.

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

The Board of Pharmacy posted the meeting materials for its quarterly teleconference meeting held on November 20. Included on the agenda were updates from industry on pending pharmacist prescriptive authority legislation, SB 147 and HB 195.

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

NACDS is working collaboratively with the Alaska Pharmacy Association to ensure pharmacists and pharmacies are included in the Rural Health Transformation Program funding.

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

The Department of Health ignored comments from NACDS and others submitted last March on adopted regulations lowering Medicaid payment rates for pharmacy dispensing fees based on the 2020 Myers and Stauffer cost of dispensing report.  

Also in Alaska, NACDS completed the state survey on the Rural Health Transformation Program funds. 

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

The Board of Pharmacy’s next quarterly meeting will be held virtually only on August 21. The Zoom log-in information, tentative agenda and public meeting packet are available on the board’s webpage. The public will need to register in advance using the link provided on the agenda. If you plan to testify on a subject, you must select “yes” in the questions when registering.

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

The first session of the regular legislative session adjourned on May 25. SB 147B and HB 195A, which were supported by pharmacies, aimed to expand access to care by granting pharmacists independent authority. This would establish a standard of care model, allowing pharmacists to fill urgent care gaps and provide patient care services. These bills will be carried over into the 2026 session. 

Also in Alaska, Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) signed SB 132, PBM reform legislation requiring insurers and PBMs to respond within 60 days to any inquiries by the Department of Health. The new law prohibits denial of claims submitted by the Department of Health from failure to obtain prior authorization.  

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

The Board of Pharmacy is seeking input on a Just Culture Workplaces Survey. The results of this survey will be discussed by the board at the August 21 meeting. 

Also in Alaska, the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) will require the following data elements starting July 30: 

• AIR09 & AIR10: Full first and last name of the dispensing pharmacist (no initials). 

• DSP15: Pharmacist's state license number. 

• PAT20: Species Code (01: Human, 02: Animal) – required. 

• PAT23: Animal name – required if PAT20 is "02". 

Submissions with missing required fields will be rejected beginning on July 30. Please refer to the AK Data Submission Dispenser Guide v3.1 via the PMP Clearinghouse portal for detailed instructions. 

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

The Legislature adjourned May 25. 

Also in Alaska, the Board of Pharmacy is seeking input on a Just Culture survey. The results of this survey will be discussed by the board at the August 21 meeting. 

Finally in Alaska, the Board of Pharmacy shared information about the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) reporting changes effective June 25. Refer to the AK Data Submission Dispenser Guide v3.1 via the PMP Clearinghouse portal for detailed instructions. 

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

Legislation that would expand access to care by giving pharmacists independent authority establishing a standard of care model allowing pharmacists to fill urgent care gaps by providing patient care services is pending in both the House and Senate. SB 147 was approved by the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee last week, and it was referred to the Finance Committee. HB 195A is awaiting a hearing in the House Labor and Commerce Committee.

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