Gov. Jeff Landry (R) signed several bills into law that impact pharmacies, including: 

HB 15/Act 121, effective August 1, updates the state's controlled substance schedules to align with recent federal scheduling actions taken since the last legislative session. Three substances were added to Schedule I, including two opiates and one stimulant. 

HB 210 /Act 159, effective August 1, establishes provisions for the retention, archiving and destruction of certain information within the state's Prescription Monitoring Program. 

SB 19 /Act 464, effective June 20, 2025, authorizes pharmacists to dispense ivermectin to individuals aged 18 years and older under a standing order issued by a Department of Health (LDH) healthcare professional with prescriptive authority. LDH must first adopt rules outlining the procedures for dispensing ivermectin. 

SB 154 /Act 41, effective August 1, defines "Kratom" and classifies 7- hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine as Schedule I controlled substances in the state. The Act also adds Mitragyna speciosa to the state's list of prohibited plants. 

HB 690 /Act 396, effective June 20, 2025, directs the State Surgeon General to develop rules for the administration of medical activities under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) or all members of the healthcare community in the state. These rules will not override federal regulations but will provide state specific guidance to promote uniformity and safety in administration. 

HB 264 /Act 474, effective June 20, 2025, introduces several key reforms regulating PBMs in the state. 

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

The Board of Pharmacy reminded pharmacies that effective April 1, the Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham issued statewide standing orders implementing Act 657 from the 2024 legislative session authorizing the dispensing of three emergency medications: albuterol, epinephrine and naloxone. These medications are intended to support time-sensitive emergency medical situations, including acute allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), known or suspected opioid overdoses and acute respiratory distress caused by asthma or allergic reactions. The Department of Health (LDH) launched an informational webpage with key resources, including standing orders, medical protocols and dispensing request forms for each medication.  

Also in Louisiana, Walmart pharmacist Jack Hall from Columbia has been named the 2025 Chain Pharmacist of the Year by his colleagues. He received this honor from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) during an awards ceremony held at the Louisiana Pharmacy Association's annual convention in Natchez on July 12. 

Also in Louisiana, Gov. Jeff Landry (R) signed SB 19, a law allowing pharmacists to dispense ivermectin to individuals 18 years of age and older under a standing order from the Department of Health (LDH). The law also permits pharmacies to charge an administrative fee for additional services and grants civil immunity to pharmacists dispensing ivermectin per LDH rules.   

Also in Louisiana, Gov. Jeff Landry (R) signed SB 182, a law that requires the Department of Health (LDH) Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) to suspend prior authorization restrictions during a state of emergency declared by the governor. Additionally, the law mandates that Medicaid reimburse providers for medically necessary drugs, services, equipment, supplies and therapies provided to Medicaid recipients. This includes reimbursement for out-of-state providers who offer essential care to patients who have evacuated the state. 

Finally in Louisiana, the Department of Health (LDH) published an Emergency Rule on Medicaid Reimbursement methodology. Effective July 1, LDH's Bureau of Health Services Financing adopted a new methodology with higher reimbursement rates for Medicaid Managed Care Organization's reimbursement and fee-for-service reimbursement rates. The Emergency Rule was adopted to better align Medicaid rates to Medicare rates. 

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

Gov. Jeff Landry (R) urged lawmakers during the final week of the session to amend HB 358, permitting a pharmacy technician to work remotely by Rep. Dustin Miller (R). The Governor wanted to include an amendment prohibiting PBMs from owning pharmacies. While the House quickly concurred with the Governor's language, the Senate declined to bring the bill up for a final vote on the last day of the session on June 12. Gov. Landry pledged to convene a special session this summer to encourage legislators to lower drug prices and help preserve independent pharmacies. Attorney General Liz Murrill (R) sent CVS a cease-and-desist order to prevent pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from lobbying customers about pending legislation and issued a statement saying she would investigate whether the text messages about the bill were appropriate. 

Also in Louisiana, lawmakers passed and sent to Gov. Landry for approval HB 264 by Rep. Michael Echols (R), prohibiting PBMs from engaging in spread pricing, patient steering and the use of effective rate pricing. The bill applies to local pharmacies only, defined as those with ownership in Louisiana of 10 or fewer pharmacies. The bill also establishes a reimbursement floor using NADAC, enhances transparency and audit protections, passes through manufacturer rebates to consumers, and grants additional enforcement authority to the Insurance Commissioner. Lastly, the proposed law modifies the composition of the Pharmacy Benefit Monitoring Advisory Council and adds a chain pharmacist appointed by the Louisiana Alliance of Retail Pharmacies (LARP). 

Also in Louisiana, Gov. Jeff Landry (R) signed HB 565 by Rep. Annie Spell (R), legislation prohibiting Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) from amending, modifying, or changing a claim submitted by a healthcare provider or adjusting, down coding or paying a claim at a lower level than what was submitted by the healthcare provider. To the extent MCOs violate these provisions, the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) shall withhold payment to the MCO an amount to be determined by LDH not less than $25,000 or greater for each violation. 

Also in Louisiana, HB 690 by Rep. Charles Owens (R), requiring the state surgeon general to promulgate rules for the administration of Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) related medical activities by all members of the healthcare community, including hospitals, public and private clinics, pharmacies, nursing homes and other entities involved in healthcare activities where EUA may apply, was sent to Gov. Jeff Landry (R). 

Also in Louisiana, House Resolution 314 by Rep. Rodney Lyons (D) requesting that the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) provide access to vaccines and information on the diseases they prevent to areas of need, passed the House and was sent to the Secretary of State. 

Finally in Louisiana, the Department of Health published two rules in the June Register.  

• The emergency drug kit (EDK) permit removes the requirement for the administrator of the applicant facility to sign the application for the EDK permit, and requires the online permit verification to be readily retrievable, since the board no longer issues paper permits. 

• The Pharmacist-in-Charge (PIC) change reduces the minimum experience requirement for a pharmacist to qualify for a PIC privilege from two years of active pharmacy practice to one year. It also adds the authority and accountability of the owner of the pharmacy permit to the existing responsibility of the PIC for the complete supervision, management and compliance with laws and regulations pertaining to the practice of pharmacy of the entire prescription department. 

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

The Legislature adjourned sine die on June 12, 2025. 

Also in Louisiana, the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) Under Secretary Drew Maranto and the Pharmacy Medicaid staff briefed on June 10 with pharmacy stakeholders, representatives from PRIME, Gainwell and the six managed care organizations. The main points of the briefing were Secretary Greenstein's commitment to a smooth transition from the costly sole source Prime PBM contract to multiple Medicaid managed care contracts, which will go live on October 1. Louisiana Army National Guardsman General Cindy Haygood was appointed project coordinator. Pharmacy stakeholder engagement meetings will be scheduled in the coming weeks. In this process, our in-state partner, the Louisiana Alliance of Retail Pharmacies (LARP), and NACDS will play a crucial role in closely monitoring the rollout, ensuring that stakeholder needs are met. 

Also in Louisiana, LDH issued several bulletins: 

• Louisiana Medicaid Pharmacy Point of Sale Duration of Therapy and Prior Drug Use Edit – Effective June 1, 2025 

• Louisiana Medicaid Pharmacy Point of Sale Diagnosis Code Requirements – Effective June 1, 2025 

• Louisiana Medicaid Pharmacy Point of Sale Quantity Limits – Effective June 1, 2025 

• Louisiana Medicaid Pharmacy Point of Sale Clinical Authorization and Updates – Effective June 1, 2025 

Finally in Louisiana, the Board of Pharmacy Regulation Revision Committee posted the agenda for the June 18 meeting. The Committee will discuss the following items: 

• Centralized Prescription Dispensing 

• Prescription Drug Delivery 

• Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) Record Retention 

• Remote Access by a Pharmacy Technician 

• Controlled Dangerous Substances  

• Completion of Prescription Form  

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

The Department of Health (LDH) Secretary Bruce Greenstein and the pharmacy Medicaid staff hosted a pharmacy stakeholders virtual meeting on June 10 to discuss LDH’s plans for transitioning from the costly sole source Prime PBM contract back to multiple Medicaid managed care contracts.

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

The new Secretary of the Department of Health (LDH), Bruce Greenstein, announced that LDH will transition away from the single PBM that the previous administration adopted in October 2023. Citing the closures of independent and chain pharmacies that threaten patient access, the Secretary is launching a new approach to the pharmacy Medicaid program to reduce the middleman's impact. LDH pledged to work closely with pharmacists and managed care organizations (MCOs) to ensure the best approach to managing pharmacy benefits and operate a pharmacy program that ensures access, controls expenses and safeguards the financial stability of the state's Medicaid system. 

Also in Louisiana, the Council on Medicaid Reimbursement, on which NACDS has a designated seat, held the Council's monthly meeting on May 22. In addition to the regular agenda, LDH staff fielded questions on why they transitioned away from the single PBM. 

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

The state Surgeon General Ralph Abraham sent a directive to state health workers on February 13, 2025, ending long-standing mass vaccination clinics and banning staff from promoting seasonal vaccines. Abraham also issued a letter to the public criticizing the state’s COVID response and public health institutions.

Also in Louisiana, NACDS submitted a letter supporting the proposed rules implementing House Bill 579 which we passed in 2024, enabling pharmacists to offer HIV prevention services.

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

NACDS serves on the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) Advisory Council that will be meeting on February 5 at the Board of Pharmacy offices in Baton Rouge.

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

The Department of Health (LDH) Medicaid updated the immunization fee schedules reflecting coverage of the influenza vaccines for recipients of all ages and changes related to Vaccines for Children (VFC).

Also in Louisiana, the Louisiana Alliance for Retail Pharmacies (LARP) reported on the November special session on tax reforms that adjourned sine die on November 22. Unfortunately, the attempt to exempt prescription drugs from local sales tax was not successful. The local sales tax collectors claimed their revenue losses from not taxing prescriptions would be much higher than what the state forecasted. Legislators were hesitant to approve the sales tax exemption with such varying estimates of the revenue losses.

Also in Louisiana, LARP attended the Board of Pharmacy’s quarterly meeting and shared this update on regulations:

(1) Legislative Proposal 2025-A ~ Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) Record Retention (Draft #1)- Approved

(2) Regulatory Proposal 2024-G ~ Pharmacist-in-Charge Requirements (Draft #2)- Approved

(3) Regulatory Proposal 2024-H ~ Emergency Drug Kit (EDK) Permit (Draft #1)- Approved

(4) Regulatory Proposal 2024-I ~ Marijuana Pharmacy (Draft #1)- Approved

(5) Regulatory Proposal 2025-J ~ Pharmacy Technician Certificate Qualifications (Draft #1)- Approved

Finally in Louisiana, effective January 1, 2025, Louisiana Medicaid is implementing changes to the Single Preferred Drug List (PDL). Most of the brand drugs that were previously preferred over the generic versions will be moved to a non-preferred status. Revlimid® brand will remain co-preferred with the generic version.

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