The Department of Health Care Service posted the following alerts on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. As previously announced in the alert titled 60-Day Countdown: NCPDP Field 426-DQ Usual and Customary Charge Requirement, pharmacy providers submitting claims to Medi-Cal Rx with a date of service (DOS) on or after July 18 will be required to include their Usual and Customary (U&C) charge in NCPDP Field 426-DQ (Usual and Customary Charge). Claims submitted for the DOS on or after July 18 with a blank dollar amount or a value of $0.00 will be denied by Medi-Cal Rx with Reject Code DQ – M/I Usual and Customary Charge with the supplemental message "Resubmit claim with U&C charge in field 426-DQ."  

• Medi-Cal Rx Pharmacy Locator Tool Enhancements 

• 30-Day Countdown: NCPDP Field 426-DQ Usual and Customary Charge Requirement 

• Reminder: Combined Medi-Cal Rx Provider Payment Releases to Occur on July 9, 2025, and July 15, 2025 

• Changes to the Extended Duration Prior Authorization Status for Select Maintenance Medications 

• Rite Aid Closures: Guidance for Providers 

• Reminder: Providers Encouraged to Sign Up for Medi-Cal Rx Electronic Remittance Advice 

• Reminder: Pharmacy Providers Encouraged to Sign Up for Medi-Cal Rx Electronic Payments 

 Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy issued the following update regarding the California Medication Error Reporting (CAMER) system. An orientation webinar is being offered by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) at 1:00 pm Pacific on July 9. Also, medication errors that occur on or after September 1 must be reported to the CAMER system. For your convenience, here's a link to the CA Board of Pharmacy Medication Error Reporting System website hosted by ISMP. 

Business and Professions Code (BPC) section 4113.1 establishes requirements for a community pharmacy to report medication errors to an entity approved by the Board. The statute requiring medication error reporting by community pharmacies can be viewed at BPC section 4113.1. The Board approved ISMP, an ECRI Company, as the entity to receive and review medication error reports under BPC section 4113.1.  

Consistent with its commitment to keep licensees apprised of implementation activities related to the California Medication Error Reporting (CAMER) system, the Board is providing the following updates: 

• ISMP will be holding an orientation webinar at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time on July 9. Registration for the orientation webinar is available online. To view, go to FAQ and then "Will there be training or orientation sessions for how to use the reporting system and submit reports?". 

• ISMP posted additional information related to reporting data elements. To view, go to FAQ and then "Which data elements will be built into the reporting system?". 

Also in California, the Office of Administrative Law approved the Board of Pharmacy's updated compounding regulations. The regulations describe the Board's requirements for nonsterile compounding, sterile compounding, hazardous drug and radiopharmaceutical preparations. 

The regulation is effective October 1. The Board will be releasing an updated policy statement regarding its expectations during the transition period. The Order of Adoption for the approved regulation regarding the compounding regulations has been posted.  

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy proposes taking rulemaking action related to "Medication-Assisted Treatment Protocol". The proposed text is available for review on the Board's website. Written comments must be received by the Board no later than August 4 or must be received by the Board at the hearing, if one is scheduled. Inquiries or comments may be addressed to:  

• Lori Martinez Address: 2720 Gateway Oaks Drive, Ste. 100, Sacramento, CA 95833; Phone: (916) 518-3100; Fax.: (916) 574-8618; or e-Mail Address: PharmacyRulemaking@dca.ca.gov   

• The backup contact person is: Debbie Damoth Address: 2720 Gateway Oaks Drive, Ste. 100, Sacramento, CA 95833; Phone: (916) 518-3100; Fax.: (916) 574-8618; or e-Mail Address: PharmacyRulemaking@dca.ca.gov  

Finally in California, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has been formally approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to participate in the federal Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) Access Model, with implementation effective July 1. This model is designed to improve access to high-cost, high-impact gene therapies for Medi-Cal members with complex conditions, starting with sickle cell disease (SCD). The initial therapies included in this model are Casgevy and Lyfgenia.  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

The Department of Health Care Service posted the following alerts and monthly bulletin on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. Please note effective June 6, the administration fee for vaccines was increased for pharmacy providers retroactively with a date of service on or after January 1, 2024, from $3.79 to $15.95 (or the lesser of the billed amount); see alert below. 

• Targeted Rate Increases for Immunization Administration Fees for Pharmacy Providers 

• Maximum Allowable Ingredient Cost 30-Day Pharmacy Provider Notice 

• Diabetic Supplies: Updates to the List of Contracted Disposable Insulin Delivery Devices, Effective July 1, 2025 

• Diabetic Supplies: Updates to the List of Contracted Diabetic Testing Supplies, Effective July 1, 2025 

• Updates to the List of Contracted Enteral Nutrition Products, Effective July 1, 2025 

• Diabetic Supplies Update: Updates to the List of Contracted Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems, Effective July 1, 2025 

• Medical Supplies: Updates to the List of Contracted Pen Needles, Effective July 1, 2025 

• Medi-Cal Rx Monthly Bulletin 

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda for its June 19-20 Full Board Meeting. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

The Board of Pharmacy posted agendas for the following meetings: 

• Enforcement & Compounding Committee – June 11 Agenda 

• Legislation & Regulation Committee – June 11 Agenda 

• Communication & Public Education Committee – June 12 Agenda 

• Licensing Committee – June 12 Agenda 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

This week, the Board of Pharmacy issued the following communication: As you may be aware, Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy in October 2023, resulting in the closure of several locations nationwide. On May 5, Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy again and is in the process of selling assets, including prescriptions, to other pharmacies. 

The Board is closely monitoring the Rite Aid bankruptcy proceedings and anticipated pharmacy closures in California.  The Board strongly encourages pharmacies to consider if they may be impacted by Rite Aid closures in their respective areas and, if so, to begin taking steps to assist patients who may be seeking pharmacy services.  

The Board also reminds licensees that Business and Professions Code section 4064 establishes provisions for emergency refill of prescriptions without prescriber authorization under specified conditions.  It may be helpful to recommend patients bring in their prescription containers when seeking an emergency refill.  

As more information is received, updates will be shared on the Board's website https://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/. 

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy posted to its website a Fact Sheet about the California Medication Error Reporting (CAMER) Pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 4113.1 including high level data reporting elements. Please note: the Board advises licensees that medication errors that occur on or after September 1, 2025, must be reported to the CAMER system. To view, visit www.pharmacy.ca.gov, scroll down to "What's New" and click on the link "California Medication Error Reporting (CAMER) Pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 4113.1". 

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Service posted the following alerts on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal: 

• Medi-Cal Rx Checkwrite Schedule – State Fiscal Year 2025-26 Available 

• 60-Day Countdown: NCPDP Field 426-DQ Usual and Customary Charge Requirement 

• Updates to the Vaccines for Children Administration Fee and Reimbursement Rate 

• Reminder: Preventing Common Billing Errors for Coordination of Benefits Claims 

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following: 

• May 2025 Pharmacy Medi-Cal Update Bulletin 

• May 2025 Durable Medical Equipment and Medical Services Medi-Cal Update Bulletin 

Finally in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) released the revised 2025-26 State Budget, known as the May Revision. The May Revision proposes multiple programmatic changes to the pharmacy benefit by implementing a pharmacy rebate aggregator to secure rebates for the undocumented immigrant population; eliminating over-the-counter (OTC) coverage of certain drug classes, including COVID-19 antigen tests, OTC vitamins, and certain antihistamines including dry eye products; eliminating glucagon-like peptide-1 coverage (GLP-1) for weight loss effective January 1, 2026; and implementing utilization management and prior authorization for prescription drugs in Medi-Cal. It also proposes statutory changes to establish licensure and data reporting requirements for PBMs with the aim to increase transparency, understand cost drivers, and develop approaches to improve prescription drug affordability; details will be available in the Department of Managed Health Care's trailer bill language. Also, Gov. Newsom announced changes in coverage for undocumented immigrants beginning in 2026, just a year after expanding Medi-Cal access to undocumented immigrants of all ages.  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

The Department of Health Care Service posted the following weekly notices on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal: Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap up for May 2-8.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

The May 2025 issue of the Board of Pharmacy's newsletter, The Script, is now published online. The newsletter includes information on the following: 

• New PIC training online seminar 

• Ensuring consumers receive medication (BPC 733) 

• Online portal for drug thefts and loss 

• SB 339: emergency to permanent regulation 

• How to support future licensees through donating to a scholarship fund 

• Wholesaler Thresholds 

• Becoming an inspector 

• CURES fee increase 

• Tribal health professionals' exemptions 

Previous newsletters can also be viewed and downloaded. Go to the "Quick Hits" column at www.pharmacy.ca.gov and click on The Script-Archive to find electronic issues of The Script published since October 1998. 

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy published an update on medication error reporting.  Business and Professions Code (BPC) section 4113.1 establishes requirements for a community pharmacy to report medication errors to an entity approved by the Board. The statute requiring medication error reporting can be viewed here:  BPC section 4113.1. In September 2024, the Board approved the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), an ECRI Company, as the entity to receive and review medication error reports under BPC section 4113.1. 

Pursuant to BPC section 4113.1, "community pharmacy" includes any pharmacy that dispenses medication to an outpatient, including both resident (PHY and PHE) and nonresident (NRP) pharmacies, but does not include facilities of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Additionally, outpatient hospital pharmacies are not required to report a medication error under BPC section 4113.1 if the error meets the requirements of an adverse event that has been reported to the State Department of Public Health pursuant to section 1279.1 of the Health and Safety Code. 

A community pharmacy shall submit the report no later than 14 days after the date of the error's discovery. The community pharmacy shall maintain records demonstrating compliance with this requirement for three years and shall make these records immediately available at the request of a Board of Pharmacy inspector. 

ISMP, as the Board-approved entity, sent a postcard to community pharmacy licensees the week of April 21 with information about how to register with ISMP's California medication error reporting program. Registration can be completed using this website: https://mederrors.ismp.org/. If you experience any technical issues when signing up for California's medication error reporting program through ISMP, please email clientservices@ecri.org. Licensees are encouraged to register by May 24.  The online reporting system will be available to submit reports in early June 2025. You will receive a follow-up email from ISMP in early June 2025 with a link to the user registration page of the online reporting system. 

FAQs regarding medication error reporting are available online.  

Finally in California, the Department of Health Care Service posted the following weekly notices, alerts, and monthly bulletin on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal.  

• Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-up for April 25-May1 

• Updates to the List of Contracted COVID-19 Antigen Tests, Effective June 1, 2025 

• Medi-Cal Rx Monthly Bulletin for May 

• Changes to the Medi-Cal Rx Contract Drugs List 

• Changes to the Medi-Cal Rx Pharmacy Reimbursable Physician Administered Drugs 

• Changes to the Medi-Cal Rx Family Planning, Access, Care and Treatment Pharmacy Formulary 

• Updates to the Medi-Cal Rx Provider Manual 

• Now Active: Completion of the Pediatric Integration of Members 21 Years of Age and Younger 

• Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-up for April 18-24 

• Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Reimbursement Rates 

• April 18, 2025, Provider Payment Delayed 

• 90-Day Countdown: NCPDP Field 426-DQ Usual and Customary Charge Requirement 

• Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-up for April 11-17 

• Medi-Cal Drug Use Review Board Meeting Update 

• Medi-Cal Rx Secured Provider Portal Password Reminders 

• Two-Week Countdown: Completion of Pediatric Integration of Members 21 Years of Age and Younger 

• Reminder: 340B Drug Price Program 

• Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-up for April 4-10 

• Changes to the Medi-Cal Rx Contract Drugs List – Authorized Drug Manufacturer Labeler Codes 

• Pediatric Integration: Most Common Claim Reject Codes 

• Identifying Pediatric Claims for Proactive Prior Authorization 

• Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-up for March 28-April 3 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

The Board of Pharmacy posted information for the following meetings: 

• The Legislation and Regulation Committee Meeting will be held on April 9 beginning at 9:00 am Pacific. For details, please review the agenda. 

• The Full Board Meeting will be held April 9-10 beginning at 1:00 pm Pacific on April 9. For details, please review the agenda. 

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Service posted the following weekly notices, alerts, and monthly bulletin on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. Please note effective April 25, Medi-Cal Rx will complete implementation of Pediatric Integration by reinstating Reject Code 75 – Prior Authorization Required for all continuation of therapy claims for members 21 years of age and younger; see alert below for details. 

• Updates to the List of Contracted Enteral Nutrition Products, Effective May 1, 2025 

• Loading Dose Quantity Policy Updated in the Medi-Cal Rx Contract Drugs List 

• Medi-Cal Rx Monthly Bulletin for April 

• Changes to the Medi-Cal Rx Contract Drugs List 

• Changes to the Medi-Cal Rx Contract Drugs List – Blood Factors 

• Updates to the Medi-Cal Rx Provider Manual 

• Medi-Cal Rx Provider Portal Enhancement: Prescriber NPI (National Provider Identifier) Validation 

• Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-up for March 21-27 

• 30-Day Countdown: Completion of Pediatric Integration of Members 21 Years of Age and Younger 

• Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-up for March 14-20 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

The Board of Pharmacy posted a agenda for the Enforcement and Compounding Committee meeting on March 27. Please note the discussion and consideration of implementation of AB 1902 (Chapter 330, Statutes of 2024) related to prescription drug labels: accessibility.

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy has proposed additional modifications to Title 16 CCR § 1708.2, related to the Discontinuance of Business.

• Notice of Second Modified Text
• Second Modified Text

Any person who wishes to comment on the proposed additional modifications may do so by submitting written comments beginning on March 11 and ending on March 26 to the following:

Contact Person: Lori Martinez

Agency Name: California State Board of Pharmacy

Address: 2720 Gateway Oaks Drive, Ste 100, Sacramento, CA 95833

Email: PharmacyRulemaking@dca.ca.gov

Fax: 916-574-8618

Any responses to comments directly concerning the proposed modifications to the text of the regulations will be considered and responded to in the Final Statement of Reasons.

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy extends its sincere appreciation to its licensees for assisting the survivors of the Los Angeles Fires. Your commitment to California consumers is commendable. The Board has received notification that the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) ended on March 15. Once the EPAP activation ended, the vendor stopped processing further prescription claims for individuals in the designated Los Angeles zip codes.

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Service posted the following weekly notice on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal: Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-up for March 7-13.

Finally in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following:

• March 2025 Pharmacy Medi-Cal Update Bulletin
• March 2025 Durable Medical Equipment and Medical Services Medi-Cal Update Bulletin

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

In conjunction with the Joint Sunset Review Oversight Hearing on March 11, NACDS submitted a letter to both the Assembly Business & Professions Committee and the Senate Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee emphasizing the importance of modernizing pharmacy laws to authorize pharmacists to practice at the top of their education and training; to allow pharmacies to optimize the pharmacy technician workforce to enhance pharmacies’ capacity to meet patient demand for pharmacy care services; and to enable pharmacies to deploy new practice models and technologies to deliver care to their patients.

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following weekly notice on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal: Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-up for February 28-March 6.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.