Walmart pharmacist Jeremy Moffett was chosen by his colleagues as the 2024 Louisiana Chain Pharmacist of the Year. He received recognition during the awards ceremony at the annual meeting of the Louisiana Pharmacy Association in Lafayette on July 12.

Also in Louisiana, the Department of Health’s Medicaid Director Kimberly Sullivan issued a pharmacy provider memorandum on the diagnosis code policy.

Also in Louisiana, the Board published Bulletin No. 24-01 which contains notice and guidance in regard to Act 246 of the 2024 Legislative Session.

Finally in Louisiana, the Department of Health’s (LDH) Medicaid team and Myers and Stauffer held a Zoom stakeholder meeting on July 15, sharing its plans for conducting a pharmacy cost of dispensing (COD) study. The survey will be emailed to a key point of contact for each chain pharmacy on August 7. The survey results will be used to evaluate the Medicaid pharmacy reimbursement methodology.

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

ACT 246 (SB 276) creates the crime of coerced criminal abortion by means of fraud when a person knowingly and intentionally engages in the use of an abortion-inducing drug on a pregnant woman, without her knowledge or consent, with the intent to cause an abortion, effective October 1, 2024.

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

Gov. Jeff Landy (R) signed into law the PEP/PrEP bill, HB 579, sponsored by Rep. Wayne McMahen (R), that will improve critical community access to HIV prevention services. With one of the highest rates of HIV in the country, the Department of Health (LDH) recognized the need for better access. LDH worked with the Louisiana Alliance for Retail Pharmacies (LARP) and other groups advocating for expanding options for at-risk patients to receive timely, convenient and lifesaving care at their local neighborhood pharmacies.

Also in Louisiana, Gov. Landry (R) announced key leadership changes. The Department of Health Secretary (LDH) Dr. Ralph Abraham transitions to the newly created Surgeon General role, Undersecretary Michael Harrington was named as the new LDH Secretary and Chief of Staff Drew Maranto was promoted to Undersecretary of LDH. The Secretary of LDH is responsible for implementing the Surgeon General’s recommendations, overseeing fiscal matters and ensuring the operations of the Department are carried out efficiently and effectively. Both the Secretary and the Surgeon General report directly to the Governor.

Also in Louisiana, LDH announced that Myers and Stauffer will be conducting a pharmacy cost of dispensing survey in August 2024 to evaluate the Medicaid pharmacy reimbursement methodology. A Zoom stakeholder meeting will be held at 9:00 am on July 15. LDH and Myers and Stauffer representatives will discuss the scope of the survey, timeline for completion and address stakeholder questions about the process.

Finally in Louisiana, Medicaid is implementing changes to the Single Preferred Drug List (PDL) on July 1, 2024. The current PDL indicated a preference of some brand name drugs over generic drugs. The revised PDL will shift both brand and generic versions of these drugs to preferred status. The new PDL will be posted online.

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

Gov. Jeff Landy (R) signed into law SB 281 – ACT 514, legislation pharmacies supported that will enhance the Attorney General’s enforcement authority over PBM audits, effective August 1, 2024.

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

The Department of Health (LDH) issued several bulletins:

• Louisiana Medicaid Pharmacy Single Preferred Drug List (PDL) Update – Effective July 1, 2024
• Louisiana Medicaid Pharmacy Point of Sale Edits for Vonoprazan (Voquezna®), Sitagliptin (Zituvio™), and Budesonide (Eohilia™) – Effective July 1, 2024
• Louisiana Medicaid Pharmacy Point of Sale Clinical Authorization and Updates – Effective July 1, 2024
• Louisiana Medicaid Pharmacy Point of Sale Quantity Limit – Effective July 1, 2024
• Louisiana Medicaid Pharmacy Point of Sale Diagnosis Code Requirement – Effective July 1, 2024

Also in Louisiana, three PBM reform bills pharmacies supported were sent to Gov. Jeff Landy (R) to be signed into law. SB 444 prohibits reimbursement below cost, HB 603 adds guardrails for PBM audits and SB 281 enhances the Attorney General’s enforcement authority over audits.

Finally in Louisiana, LHD created an on-line form allowing anyone to request a Medicaid Policy change.

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

The legislature adjourned sine die on June 3. 

Also in Louisiana, several bills’ pharmacies supported passed both houses and were sent to Gov. Jeff Landry (R) to be signed into law.   

HB 579 – Allows pharmacists to test and treat for PEP/PrEP (See NACDS’ letter to the governor supporting enactment of this legislation.) 

SB 444 – Prohibits reimbursement below cost 

HB 603 – PBM audits 

SB 281 – PBM Enforcement and audits 

Finally in Louisiana, the Department of Health issued the preferred drug list update for July 1, 2024. 

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

HB 579, the PEP/PrEP bill supported by pharmacies, passed both houses and will soon be sent to Gov. Jeff Landry (R) to be signed into law. The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn by 6:00 pm on June 3.  

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

The Senate passed HB 579, the PEP/PrEP bill, as amended by a vote of 38-0. The bill now goes back to the House to concur with the Senate amendments.

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

The Department of Health (LDH) requested the Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) start a new project that will span six months, ending September 30, 2024, requiring each MCO to thoroughly review and make corrections to their network reporting to eliminate inaccurate or outdated information. 

Also in Louisiana, the May 14 issue of Pharmacy Facts announced that beginning July 1, 2024, Louisiana Medicaid is revising the Single Preferred Drug List (PDL), shifting both brand and generic versions of these drugs to preferred status. With the implementation of the new PDL, prescribing providers are advised to note “brand name necessary” on prescriptions where they want to ensure pharmacies fill their prescriptions with brand name drugs. Absent this notation, individual pharmacists will make the decision on whether to fill the prescription with brand or generic drugs. The new PDL will be posted online.  

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