HB 596, related to PBM reform, was introduced and referred to the House Health and Welfare Committee. This legislation would add new definitions; outline requirements that make contracts with pharmacies transparent and fair; require PBMs to provide transparent pricing on drugs and require PBMs to report to the Department of Insurance in a transparent way.  

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

The Division of Career and Technical Education posted the Idaho Pharmacy Technician Critically Survey seeking input from industry representatives about what is most important for an entry-level employee to know or be able to do. The information will be used to develop program standards for high school pharmacy technician programs in the state.

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

On April 6, 2023, Gov. Brad Little (R) signed HB 71, the Vulnerable Child Protective Act prohibiting puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and sex reassignment surgeries for children under the age of 18 when administered or performed for the purpose of changing the appearance of a child’s sex with exemption for medically necessary uses of these drugs and procedures. On December 26, 2023, in a preliminary order, U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill issued an order enjoining enforcement of HB 71 pending the outcome of litigation initiated by families filing a suit challenging the state law; Judge Winmill wrote that the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution’s guarantees of equal protection and due process give parents the right to get gender-affirming care for their children.   

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

The Board of Pharmacy published its June 2023 newsletter including the following articles. 

• 2023 Legislative Update 
• 2023 Legislative Update for Statutes 
• Guidance for Lifestyle Injectable Treatments
• Answers to Frequently Asked Expedited Partner Therapy Question 
• Board of Pharmacy Launches New Website 
• Health Professional Recovery Program 

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

On March 31, Gov. Brad Little (R) signed HB 215 (Session Law Chapter 232, effective July 1, 2023), legislation adding enforcement language to Title 41-349 related maximum allowable cost (MAC). The new law permits the director [Department of Insurance] to act, issue penalties and make remedies for PBMs who violate the law in accordance with authorities in the Idaho Code.  

Also in Idaho, on March 31, Gov. Brad Little (R) signed HB 291 (Session Law Chapter 233, effective July 1, 2023), legislation establishing the Fair Pharmacy Audits Act and creating standards and criteria for the audit of pharmacies by PBMs or other authorized entities.

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

HB 215, legislation adding enforcement language to Title 41-349 related to PBMs permitting the director [Department of Insurance] to act, issue penalties and make remedies for PBMs who violate the law in accordance with authorities in the Idaho Code, passed the House (61-9) and Senate (25-8-2). On March 29, it was sent to Gov. Brad Little (R) for consideration. 

Also in Idaho, HB 291, legislation establishing the Fair Pharmacy Audits Act and creating standards and criteria for the audit of pharmacies by PBMs or other authorized entities, passed the House (61-7-2) and Senate (27-7-1). On March 29, it was sent to Gov. Brad Little (R) for consideration. 

Finally in Idaho, the Board of Pharmacy posted its March 2023 Newsletter including the following items: 

• 2023 Summary of Pending Statute and Administrative Rule Changes 
• Idaho Telehealth Access Act COVID-19 Guidance Updated 
• Announcement and Reminder: Prescription Drug Monitoring Program 
• Idaho to License Virtual Wholesalers That Operate in and into Idaho 
• Enforcement of Mandatory Checking of the PDMP to Begin April 1, 2023 
• Board Executive Officer Awarded the Judy Smetzer Just Culture Champion Scholarship 
• Board Sets 2023 Meeting Schedule 

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

HB 215, legislation adding enforcement language to Title 41-349 related to PBMs permitting the director [Department of Insurance] to act, issue penalties and make remedies for PBMs who violate the law in accordance with authorities in the Idaho Code, passed the House (61-9) and advanced to the Senate where it was reported out of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee with “Do Pass Recommendation”. 

Also in Idaho, HB 291, legislation establishing the Fair Pharmacy Audits Act and creating standards and criteria for the audit of pharmacies by PBMs or other authorized entities, passed the House (61-7-2) and advanced to the Senate where it was reported out of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee with “Do Pass Recommendation”. 

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

The following two bills were recently introduced. NACDS thanks Idaho Retailers Association for its efforts. 

• HB 215 adds enforcement language to Title 41-349 related to PBMs permitting the director [Department of Insurance] to act, issue penalties and make remedies for PBMs who violate the law in accordance with authorities in the Idaho Code. 
• HB 270 establishes the Fair Pharmacy Audits Act, creating standards and criteria for the audit of pharmacies by PBMs or other authorized entities. 

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

The State Board of Pharmacy issued a reminder to ensure that the delegates assigned by controlled substance (CS) registrants are still active and accurate. The delegate review is to ensure that delegate users of the state’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) are still authorized to perform searches on their supervisor’s behalf. Supervisors are responsible for activities performed within the system by their delegate(s). Supervisors may perform the delegate review by doing the following:  

1. Log in to your Idaho PDMP account. 
2. From your dashboard click “View All Delegates.” 
3. Review delegates listed.
4. If the delegates are correct, take no further action. If a delegate should be changed, continue to step five. 
5. Select any delegate to remove. 
6. Click on “Remove.”
7. Click on “Reject.”
8. Repeat steps five, six, and seven until all unwanted delegates have been removed from the Delegate Management view.

Also in Idaho, the State Board of Pharmacy offers a variety of Idaho PDMP (AWARxE) Resources on the Board’s website for prescribers and pharmacists. 

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