LD 2071, a bill that would delink pharmacist immunization authority and coverage from ACIP, was engrossed this week via favorable votes in both the House and the Senate and will now be sent to Gov. Janet Mills (D) for enactment. The legislation has been a priority for NACDS and the American Disease Prevention Coalition (ADPC) for the 2026 legislative session.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
The Department of Health and Human Services’ Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) reported the first case of measles in the state since 2019. The Maine CDC confirmed the case on February 5. The individual is an adult from Penobscot County who recently traveled to a state with measles cases.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The state received official notification from CMS of a $190 million award for Year 1 of the federal Rural Health Transformation Program. The award will support the state’s efforts to expand access to care, improve population health, strengthen the rural health workforce, advance technology and data integration and promote the long-term sustainability of rural health systems statewide. Supporting materials to Maine’s application for funding through the Rural Health Transformation Program are available, including the Summary of Maine’s RHTP Plan and the updated State of Maine RHTP Project Narrative. For more information, visit the Rural Health Transformation Program website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Board of Pharmacy held its regular meeting on November 7. The agenda includes second notice of rulemaking on prescribing, dispensing and administering HIV medicine.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
On September 12, the state's Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) issued a standing order authorizing qualified health care professionals -̶ including pharmacists -̶ to administer the 2025- 2026 COVID-19 vaccine. The standing order serves as a prescription for all Maine people, allowing them to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at pharmacies, clinics and health care offices across the state. Under the standing order, Maine people no longer need to obtain a prescription through their health care provider to receive the vaccine.
Also in Maine, on September 12, the Maine Bureau of Insurance issued a bulletin to state-regulated health insurance carriers reinforcing that they are required under state law to provide full coverage of the cost of the COVID vaccine when administered consistent with recommendations of the medical academies.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
On August 26, the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Insurance, held a hearing on proposed rule change to define and prohibit spread pricing. NACDS attended the hearing and submitted testimony in support of the proposed changes. Additional written comments are due by September 9 at 4:00 p.m. and should be addressed to: Karma Lombard, Maine Bureau of Insurance, 34 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333 or Karma.Y.Lombard@maine.gov.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
On August 13, the Board of Pharmacy held its regular monthly meeting. The next monthly meeting is scheduled for September 4.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
On June 5, the Board of Pharmacy met for its regular monthly meeting. Of note on the agenda was a discussion of board obligations for permanent pharmacy closures.
Also in Maine, on June 5, the Appropriations Committee voted to remove the Governor’s proposed pharmacy tax of $.70 per prescription from the budget. The budget bill will be moved by the Appropriations Committee upon review of all sections, then sent to both chambers of the legislature for action. A budget is needed before the fiscal year ends June 30.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
The Joint Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs met daily the week of May 12 for budget work sessions. The Chairs have yet to bring up the pharmacy tax. The bill remains pending before the joint committee. NACDS, working with the Maine Pharmacists Association and Retail Association of Maine, helped advocate against a potential "compromise" that would have exempted the independent pharmacies from the tax. While being fundamentally unfair, that compromise would have negated the federal match, eliminating the tax's utility. NACDS will continue to lobby the Governor's office and the legislature throughout the budget process. The bill must be moved by the Joint Appropriations Committee and approved by both chambers of the legislature. The fiscal year ends June 30.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
