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.

NACDS submitted a comment letter to the Department of Health regarding the March 2025 Cost of Dispensing survey results from Myers and Stauffer citing a drop in the average cost of dispensing a Medicaid prescription. 

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

The Board of Pharmacy held its quarterly meeting in mid-February and provided a meeting packet to all virtual attendees which included an update on the Prescription Monitoring Program.

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

The Board of Pharmacy met on November 14. The agenda and public meeting packet are posted on the Board’s website.

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

Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) signed a bill into law that aims to ensure consumers have access to affordable prescriptions and level the playing field for pharmacies by regulating pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) House Bill 226 – CHAPTER 61 SLA 24.

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

The Board of Pharmacy met on October 10.

Also in Alaska, the Pharmacy Board revised statutes and regulations are now available on the website. Effective September 28, there are significant changes affecting collaborative practice authorities, nationally certified pharmacy technician practices, sterile pharmaceutical guidelines, manufacturer license requirements, prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) registration, alternative to probation program and “owner” / “change of ownership” definitions.

Finally in Alaska, the Board issued new rules on expanded pharmacy technician duties (2 AAC 52.235. PHARMACY TECHNICIAN WITH NATIONAL CERTIFICATION).

(a) A pharmacy technician who holds a national certification may, at the direction of the pharmacist on duty and under the direct supervision of that pharmacist,

(1) perform a final check of and distribute a non-controlled substance prescription if

(C) the pharmacy uses software that displays the image or graphical description of the correct drug being verified; however, if there is any deviation between the image or graphical description and the actual product being distributed, a pharmacist must review and dispense the order; and (Previous Version)

(C) the pharmacy uses software that displays the image or graphical description of the correct drug being verified, or the institutional facility uses software that performs and verifies a barcode scan before administration [; HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ANY DEVIATION BETWEEN THE IMAGE OR GRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION AND THE ACTUAL PRODUCT BEING DISTRIBUTED, A PHARMACIST MUST REVIEW AND DISPENSE THE ORDER]; and (New Version, Bold and Underlined is added and Bracketed is removed)

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