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.

Legislators returned to Baton Rouge earlier this month for the third session this year to consider Gov. Jeff Landry’s (R) tax overhaul package.

Also in Louisiana, the Department of Health issued Informational Bulletin 24-42 updating the immunization fee schedules.

Also in Louisiana, the Board of Pharmacy continues to make progress on the proposed rule changes expanding the eligibility criteria for obtaining a pharmacy technician candidate registration by providing alternatives to a board-approved, nationally accredited pharmacy technician training program. The proposed rule changes remove the definition of Training Program and instead define Pharmacy Technician Educator, which includes a board-approved, nationally accredited training program, a Louisiana Department of Education program with a pharmacy technician career path and a Louisiana licensed pharmacist providing training in a permitted pharmacy. The Board submitted the second summary report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health & Welfare.

Also in Louisiana, after the August public hearing on Automated Medication Systems (AMS), the Board submitted the second summary report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health & Welfare.

Also in Louisiana, since five of the Board members’ terms expired on June 30, 2024, Gov. Jeff Landry (R) appointed Andy Soileau to replace Blake P. Pitre, who had served 42 years on the Board, and Butch Ray to replace Rock LeBas. The Governor also reappointed pharmacist Robert Cloud, Kevin LaGrange and consumer member Don Resweber.

Also in Louisiana, the Department of Health (LDH), in partnership with the Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPSC), submitted an application to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for an 1115 demonstration waiver to improve access to critical pre- and post-release services for Medicaid-eligible individuals who are incarcerated. This new waiver would allow Louisiana Medicaid to provide approved substance use treatment services, case management and a 30-day supply of all prescription medications to eligible individuals.

Finally in Louisiana, the Board of Pharmacy will meet on November 19-20, 2024; new officers and committee chairs will be chosen during this meeting.

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

Gov. Jeff Landry (R) announced a special session on November 6 focused on revamping the state's tax structure. Governor Landry hopes to overhaul the state's current tax system by reducing income tax and charging sales tax on additional items. If the legislature approves tax reforms, voters will need to ratify the proposals in March 2025 so they can become law.   

Also in Louisiana, the Board of Pharmacy provided the Prescription Monitoring Program's Advisory Council with the third quarter update on the program. 

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