The Department of Health (MDH) has posted updated information regarding the expansion of prescription drug transparency data under Chapter 70 passed in 2023. The law requires wholesalers, PBMs and pharmacies to report pricing data on drugs of significant public interest in 2024. MDH is developing an online reporting portal for the new stream. Pharmacies will be required to register. The department will release draft guidance in late 2023 for public comment, prior to finalizing the guidance in early 2024. The department is also preparing to release the first list of drugs requiring reporting by January 31, 2024. Pharmacies interested in receiving announcements on prescription drug price transparency may subscribe to Prescription Drug Price Transparency updates.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Department of Human Services released the 2023 Cost of Dispensing Survey Report that recommends a $0.78 increase in the Fee-for-Service professional dispensing fee for all retail pharmacies. I understand the General Assembly will have to pass legislation to implement it. NACDS intends to work with members and in-state partners on this in the next legislative session. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Department of Human Services released the 2023 Cost of Dispensing Survey Report that recommends an 0.78 increase in the FFS PDF for all retail pharmacies. I understand the General Assembly would have to pass legislation to implement it. NACDS intends to work with members and in-state partners on this in the next legislative session.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Department of Health’s weekly COVID Vaccine Provider Update reminds immunizers that the COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Agreement is still in effect until the new vaccine formulations are available. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

As result of the passage of 2023 Session Law Chapter 70 (Article 2, Sections 8-21, 43), pharmacies and wholesalers will be required to report on Drugs of Significant Public Interest beginning in 2024. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is in the initial stages of developing the reporting initiative. As work progresses, they will provide updates on implementation, opportunities for public comment and resources to support reporting entities newly engaging in this reporting initiative. NACDS will pass on all information to members. If you are interested in directly receiving announcements on prescription drug price transparency from MDH, you may subscribe to Prescription Drug Price Transparency updates.

Also in Minnesota, the MIIC (Minnesota Immunization Information Connection) forecaster has been updated to ensure all people ages five years and older are recommended to receive one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and people under five years to receive two or three doses, depending on the product and appropriate intervals. The forecaster cannot recommend a specific COVID-19 vaccine schedule based on the date of an administered dose or recommend bivalent (updated) doses only. The forecaster’s updates will now validate the first dose received by clients ages five years and older and the first two or three doses received by clients under the age of fvie. Doses will be validated regardless of when they were received. All other doses will be recorded in a client’s immunization record but not evaluated. Unevaluated doses will display in MIIC but will not contain information in the series column. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

As the 2023 legislative session came to a close, Gov. Tim Walz (D) signed session law Chapter 70 (SF 2995). The legislation requires Medicaid to conduct a feasibility study and implementation plan for carving the prescription drug benefit out of managed care and into Fee-For-Service. The study is due to the General Assembly by January 15, 2026.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Conference Committee on SF 2995, the Health Budget Bill, has been appointed and is currently meeting to produce a final bill. The Conferees include Senators Boldon, Kupec, Wiklund, Abeler and Morrison; and Representatives Keeler, Liebling, Pinto, Schomacker and Bierman. Several key pharmacy provisions are in the mix including: 

• Pharmacy benefit carve-in to Fee-for-Service 
• Pharmacy Technician immunization authority 
• Payment for pharmacy services 
• Requirement for on-going Cost of Dispensing surveys 

NACDS has been working with the Minnesota Retailers Association, the Minnesota Pharmacy Association and members to help advance and support these provisions throughout the session. Once the conference committee report is finalized, the bill will go before the General Assembly for approval. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Department of Health, Health Economics Program (HEP), released the first set of data from the Minnesota Prescription Drug Price Transparency (RxPT) initiative. This release includes RxPT’s first legislative report and the new RxPT Data Dashboards and downloadable files. The report is the result of the Minnesota Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act  of 2020. The Act tasked the Department of Health (MDH) with developing a system for collecting and reporting data from drug manufacturers on high and quickly increasing prescription drug prices. To address some these remaining challenges and provide more actionable data to policymakers, the Governor’s budget propo

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

HF 1197 and SF 1176, companion bills that would make pharmacy immunization and testing practice consistent with the federal PREP Act, have been introduced. The bills also include Medicaid reimbursement language. NACDS is working with the Minnesota Pharmacists Association and the Minnesota Retailers Association, supporting their on-the-ground efforts to advance the bills.  

Also in Minnesota, this week’s Department of Health COVID Provider Newsletter includes a segment encouraging providers’ to begin planning for when COVID vaccine is only available from the commercial market. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.