The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will host a public, virtual meeting on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at 2 p.m. CST to demonstrate the functionality of the registration system and provide an update on the technical build for the Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act (the “Act”) (Minnesota Statutes 62J.84; amended by Minnesota Laws, 2021, Regular Session, Chapter 30 – HF 2128 – Article 3, Sec. 5 – 9). To join, use the  Webex Meeting Link, Meeting Number (access code): 2494 346 4226, Meeting Password: tXaTGFdT722. MDH will post–meeting materials on the Prescription Drug Price Transparency Meetings page. Additional information is available online at www.health.state.mn.us/data/rxtransparency, where interested individuals and stakeholders may also subscribe to periodic updates. 

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

The Administrative Law Judge assigned to the PBM rulemaking process, Kimberly Middendorf, has concluded her review of the Department of Commerce’s proposed rule and SONAR, as well as all comments, responses, and rebuttals from members of the public, and on Friday issued a “Report of the Administrative Law Judge. Judge Middendorf’s report is available for review on the Commerce website (scroll down to Report of the Administrative Law Judge). 

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

On November 3 NACDS and the Minnesota Retailers Association will co-host a virtual discussion concerning legislation that would give pharmacists the authority to prescribe HIV preexposure and postexposure prophylaxis. If you would like to join the discussion, please email Jill McCormack for meeting sign in information.

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

The Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce has published a proposed rule  on PBM Licensure and Regulation. The rule is a result of the passage of legislation in the 2019 Legislative Session and will be the subject of a hearing on September 20.  NACDS intends to draft comments that will be sent out for member review. Should you have comments in the meantime, please send them to Jill McCormack by Sept. 3. Instructions for accessing the hearing virtually and by telephone are included in the rule.

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

Gov. Tim Walz (D) signed HF 33, the Health and Human Services omnibus budget bill on June 29. Notably, the final bill includes an increase in the Medicaid professional dispensing fee from $10.48 to $10.77, an expansion of the list of drugs permitted to be dispensed in a 90-day supply, an allowance for medication therapy management via telehealth and a requirement that Medicaid conduct a cost of dispensing study to determine a statewide dispensing fee for specialty drugs.  

Also in Minnesota, the Board of Pharmacy posted an announcement and FAQs that they rescinded COVID operational variances due to Gov. Walz ending the state of emergency on July 1. The Board expects pharmacies to be compliance with current statute and rules by July 16. The announcement clarifies that the PREP Act and Declarations pre-empt state laws and remain in effect.

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

The Department of Health (MDH) has given notice of intent to adopt guidance on the implementation of the Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act of 2020. MDH will accept written, electronic comments until 4:30 PM CT on June 24. Questions may be sent to health.Rx@state.mn.us. For additional information or to sign up for email updates go to MDH’s Prescription Drug Transparency Webpage.

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

The Department of Health expects to issue guidance on how to comply with the Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act by early summer 2021, which will include technical definitions and reporting requirements for the act.  MDH will share information related to the act’s implementation and opportunities for public feedback on this page, through GovDelivery bulletins, and via State Register announcements. Stakeholders interested in receiving announcements on implementation of the act may subscribe to Prescription Drug Price Transparency updates.

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

COVID-19 vaccination reimbursement under Medicaid will be at the Medicare rate effective April 1, 2021. HF 1428/SF 1156 successfully passed both chambers and was signed by Gov. Jim Walz (D) on March 31.

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