The Insurance Commissioner (“Commissioner”) issued Advisory Bulletin 8-2024 to all Insurance Department (“AID”) licensed pharmacy benefits managers (“PBMs”) related to PBM reimbursements to pharmacies at minimum levels to NADAC pricing amounts under Ark. Code Ann. § 23-92-506(b)(5)(A). The Commissioner had received several complaints from pharmacies against PBMs in which a PBM has reversed a payment to reduce or to remove a dispensing fee in the pharmacy’s compensation to equalize the payment to NADAC minimum pricing. Questions concerning this Bulletin should be directed to Legal Division at 501-371-2820 or by email at Insurance.Legal@arkansas.gov.

Also in Arkansas, Tim Griffith, the Attorney General is suing PBMs for their role as a cause of the opioid epidemic in Arkansas.

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

The Legislative Council approved a rule that allows Medicaid reimbursement for continuous blood glucose monitors (CGMs).

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

On May 10, the Legislature adjourned its fiscal session sine die after adopting a $6.3 billion state budget.

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

A draft emergency rule by the Insurance Commissioner Alan McClain that would require reimbursement for pharmacies for prescription drug or device services at a rate that is no less than 110% of the current National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) plus a $10.50 dispensing fee for all generic and branded drug transactions or services has hit a roadblock. 

Also in Arkansas, the next meeting of the Board of Pharmacy is on June 4 and 5.  

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

The 94th General Assembly fiscal session convened on April 10 with Gov. Sara Huckabee Sanders (R) giving her state-of-the-state address, asking the legislature to approve a $6.3 billion budget.

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

The Insurance Commissioner issued Directive 1-2024 suspending for 60 days the technical filing requirements, audits and recoupments related to claims for providers impacted by the Change Healthcare data breach.

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

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) and the Department of Human Services announced the state will use $30 million from the American Rescue Fund Plan Act funds to improve mental health and substance abuse services.

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

The Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) announced a state’s revenue surplus of $231.2 million at the end of January 2024.

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

The Board of Pharmacy met at the Board offices in Little Rock on January 9 and 10.  

Also in Arkansas, the state pharmacist’s association received a grant of $78,548. The funds will be utilized in 2024 to educate pharmacists and prescribers about the pharmaceutical supply chain regulatory guidance and oversight mandated by the federal government for drug wholesalers. The training aims to inform them about how this regulation affects patients, physicians, and the local pharmacists.  

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