The Department of Health is proposing to remove four vaccines, hepatitis B, varicella, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and pneumococcal conjugate from immunization requirements for students attending public and private PreK-12 schools. The proposed rule, backed by Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, is subject to a 21-day public comment period that began August 24. The proposal would also broaden religious vaccine exemptions to include moral and ethical beliefs and allow parents and college students to opt out of having immunization records included in the state vaccine database. The four vaccines targeted by the rule are required under agency rules rather than state law, allowing the department to repeal the requirements without legislative action. Existing state law would continue to require vaccinations against diseases including measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), polio, diphtheria, rubeola and tetanus.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

The Board of Pharmacy has two upcoming meetings in August 2026. A Probable Cause Panel is scheduled for August 6 at 9:00 am EDT, followed by a full Board Meeting on August 20 at 8:30 am EDT.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

The Agency for Health Care Administration's final Medicaid rule (59G-4.251 / Notice: 31058156) regarding Prescribed Drugs Reimbursement Methodology went into effect on July 15.  

Also in Florida, the Board of Pharmacy's final rule (64B16-27.700 / Notice: 31119848) regarding compounding goes into effect on August 3.  

Finally, the Board of Pharmacy's final rule (64B16-26.351 / Notice: 31148657) regarding Standards for Approval of Registered Pharmacy Technician Training Programs goes into effect on August 6.  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

Attorney General James Uthmeier issued a Civil Investigative Demand to CVS Health Corporation, owner of both the Caremark pharmacy benefit manager and hundreds of CVS retail pharmacies in Florida. The probe examines whether CVS/Caremark steers patients to its own locations, reimburses its affiliated stores more generously than independent pharmacies for identical prescriptions, imposes burdensome audits that claw back payments and enforces restrictive contracts that threaten small businesses. Such practices allegedly contribute to pharmacy closures and "pharmacy deserts," leaving families and seniors with fewer options and higher costs. The Civil Investigative Demand requires thousands of documents and sworn testimony on reimbursement rates, pharmacy contracts, patient steering, audits, rebates, differential treatment of own versus independent stores and expansion plans. Compliance is required by July 28. 

Also in Florida, the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care annual open enrollment (OE) season begins October 1 and ends November 30 for all enrollees in all regions. During open enrollment, enrollees may choose a different managed care plan or remain with their current plans. Enrollees will begin receiving OE reminder letters in July. All OE mailings will be completed by September 30. Beginning October 1, enrollees can request a plan change using one of the methods below. All plan changes requested will become effective on December 1.  

• Text ENROLL to FLSMMC (357662). Enrollees will need the Medicaid ID number of each member and the account PIN number. 

• Go online at www.flmedicaidmanagedcare.com to create a Member Portal account or chat with our Enrollment Virtual Assistant. 

• Call 1-877-711-3662 to speak with a Choice Counselor. 

Finally in Florida, the state's 2026 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday begins on July 20 and ends on August 20. Participation is mandatory. Retailers cannot opt out of the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

The Board of Pharmacy scheduled a Board Meeting for June 11 at 8:30 am EDT.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

The Department of Health announced a new licensure experience for health care practitioners on April 29.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

The Board of Pharmacy announced that the Uniform MPJE™ (UMPJE™) will be implemented June 1, 2026. This change affects the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination required for pharmacy licensure in Florida. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

The Board of Pharmacy scheduled several meetings in April 2026. The Compounding Committee will meet on April 15 at 9:00 am EDT and the Rules Committee at 1:00 pm EDT the same day. The full Board Meeting is scheduled for April 16 at 8:30 am EDT.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed HB 697, which will take effect July 1. The legislation includes provisions related to the Ryan White Part B AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), providing bridge funding to maintain the program without changes through June 30. The law also prohibits PBMs from restricting a pharmacy or pharmacist from declining to dispense a drug when the reimbursement rate is below the actual acquisition cost. Additionally, it bars PBMs from reimbursing a pharmacy or pharmacist at a lower rate than they reimburse an affiliated pharmacy or pharmacist. Finally, the law states that the administrative appeal procedure must allow a pharmacy or pharmacist the option to submit a consolidated administrative appeal representing multiple adjudicated claims that share the same drug and day supply and have a date of service occurring within the same calendar month.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.