The General Assembly formed a bi-partisan and bi-cameral task force to hear proposals for drug cost containment and PBM regulation in advance of the 2025 legislative session.  NACDS participated in the opening meeting on December 4 and will continue to be a presence throughout the working group’s meetings.  NACDS has also met with all four co-chairs of the task force to highlight our policy priorities and states that have taken helpful and thorough action.  The task force will be breaking down their work into four subcommittees: (1) PBM oversight, (2) Importation and Shortages, (3) Pricing and 340B and (4) Patient Protection, Rare Diseases, and Innovation.  These subcommittees will each meet three times.  The task force’s final meeting is scheduled for February 11, 2025.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

On December 4, the legislature started a bipartisan, bicameral Prescription Drug Task Force, dedicated to tackling the rising costs of medications and addressing challenges in prescription drug access and pharmacy care across Connecticut.

Over the coming months, the task force will convene subcommittees to focus on key areas, including:

• Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs)
• Drug shortages and importation
• Patient protection, pharmacy practice, rare diseases and innovation
• Drug pricing and 340B programs

NACDS will continue to participate in and monitor this task force and advocate for PBM reform and our policy principles.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

On November 7, the Department of Consumer Protection finalized regulations on the Sale of Non-legend Drugs in Vending Machines.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

The Department of Consumer Protection updated its website to allow for electronic registration of “pharmacy clerks” as established by legislation passed earlier this year that became effective October 1. This registration is required for any individual who will physically work in an area of a pharmacy or institutional pharmacy where controlled substances or other legend drugs are dispensed by, or under the supervision of, a pharmacist.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

On June 4, the Department of Consumer Protection updated the proposed opioid warning label regulation upon some corrections from the Legislative Commissioner’s Office.

The Department of Consumer Protection has also given notice that it proposes to adopt a regulation concerning Emergency and Hormonal Contraceptives. Public comment period is 30 days from June 4. 

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

The Commission of Pharmacy held its regular monthly meeting on January 31. Several licenses and disciplinary actions were considered; no policy decisions were on the agenda. 

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

The Department of Consumer Protection urges pharmacists to continue to offer to prescribe naloxone for patients, when appropriate. This includes when filling prescriptions for:

1. Medications within the opioid class of drugs;
2. Patients with a history of opioid use disorder;
3. Family members and friends of individuals with a history of opioid use disorder and
4. Upon request by a patient.

As some insurance providers, including Medicaid, may continue to cover Narcan and ReVive, pharmacists should continue to submit claims when dispensing naloxone prescribed by a pharmacist or other authorized prescriber. Patients whose insurance providers do not cover these medications should contact their insurance provider for more information. Additional information can be found on the Drug Control Division website.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

During this year’s legislation session, Connecticut Public Act 23-19 was passed, and pharmacists are now allowed to vaccinate children ages 12 years and up. Regulations are expected to be adopted by the Department of Consumer Protection, in consultation with the Commissioner of Public Health and the Commission of Pharmacy. While regulations and legal questions are worked through, the Department of Public Health (DPH) Immunization Program would like to assist you with enrollment in the Connecticut (Pediatric) Vaccine Program (CVP). Per CGS Sec. 19a-7f, all vaccines administered to children in Connecticut available through the CVP must be procured through the Immunization Program.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

Gov. Ned Lamont (D) signed legislation (SB 1102) that allows pharmacists to order and administer COVID, flu and HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) tests, pharmacists to prescribe and distribute HIV-related prophylaxis and pharmacists and technicians to administer vaccines. Governor Lamont signed another bill (HB 6768) that allows pharmacists to prescribe emergency and hormonal contraceptives. 

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.