NACDS sent Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) a letter urging him to sign SB 878, landmark legislation expanding pharmacists' ability to serve patients. The bill modernizes pharmacy law and includes several important provisions that strengthen the profession and improve patient access to care, including: 

• Expanding pharmacists' authority to provide patient care services under statewide protocols and collaborative practice arrangements. 

• Updating vaccine authority to allow pharmacists to administer additional FDA-approved vaccines. 

• Authorizing pharmacists to prescribe certain medical devices. 

• Removing unnecessary barriers to medication therapeutic plan authority. 

• Protecting 340B covered entities from discriminatory reimbursement practices. 

• Modernizing pharmacy statutes to reflect current practice and healthcare delivery. 

Also in Missouri, effective June 1, MO HealthNet (Medicaid) will no longer offer manual overrides for pharmacy claims rejected due to missing or incorrectly formatted ICD-10 diagnosis as found in the Pharmacy Clinical Edits and Preferred Drug Lists. This update means that claims for agents included in the Diagnosis Code Required Policy Edit must include a valid, billable ICD-10 code to be processed successfully. 

Finally in Missouri, MO HealthNet is required to complete an annual review of all drug coverage criteria per 13 CSR 70-20.200 Drug Prior Authorization Process – Pharmacy Clinical Edits and Preferred Drug Lists. 

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

SB 878, legislation expanding pharmacists’ scope authority for CLIA-waived tests, ordering and administering vaccines and allowing for prescribing certain types of medical equipment, passed both houses and was sent to Gov. Mike Kehoe (R).

Finally in Missouri, the General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn on May 15.

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

SB 878, was amended and passed the Senate on March 23. The bill expands pharmacists’ scope authority for CLIA-waived tests and allows prescribing certain types of medical equipment. It also enhances the Board of Pharmacy’s authority to allow pharmacies to dispense medications during a declared emergency. In addition, it would allow the over-the-counter sale of ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, with a warning label, once the FDA authorizes them for over-the-counter dispensing. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for further action.

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

SB 878 was amended and passed the Senate on March 23. The bill expands pharmacist scope authority for CLIA-waived tests and allows prescribing of certain types of medical equipment. It also enhances the Board of Pharmacy’s authority to allow pharmacies to dispense medications during a declared emergency. In addition, it would allow the over-the-counter sale of ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, with a warning label, once the FDA authorizes them for over-the-counter dispensing. The bill was sent the House of Representatives for further action.

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

The House Health and Mental Health Committee held a hearing on two PBM reform bills supported by pharmacies. HB 1975, by Rep. Bennie Cook (R), provides for network adequacy and prohibits below-cost reimbursement. HB 1850, by Rep. John Hewkin (R), governs audits and beefs up enforcement provisions.

Also in Missouri, Rep. Bennie Cook (R) filed HB 1976, an immunization clean-up bill that removes the January 1, 2023 date, and excludes any vaccine that is jointly excluded by joint rules promulgated by the Board of Pharmacy and the State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts. The bill has not yet been assigned to a committee.

Also in Missouri, SB 878, legislation expanding the pharmacists scope of practice filed by Sen. Travis Fitzwater (R), was unanimously approved by the Senate Families, Seniors and Health Committee on February 4. Current law allows certain pharmacists to provide certain medication therapy services under a statewide order issued by the Director or the Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Health and Senior Services. The bill would eliminate the standing order and authorize pharmacists’ medication therapy services pursuant to rules established by the Board of Pharmacy and the State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts jointly promulgate rules to implement this provision within six months of the effective date of this act. In addition, it would allow pharmacists to prescribe durable medical equipment. The bill is pending action by the Senate.

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

SB 878, legislation expanding the pharmacists scope of practice filed by Sen. Travis Fitzwater (R), was heard in the Senate Families, Seniors and Health Committee on January 14. Current law allows certain pharmacists to provide certain medication therapy services under a statewide order issued by the Director or the Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Health and Senior Services. The bill would eliminate the standing order and authorize pharmacists' medication therapy services pursuant to rules established by the Board of Pharmacy and the State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts. These jointly promulgated rules to implement this provision will take place within six months of the effective date of this act. In addition, it would allow pharmacists to prescribe durable medical equipment. 

Also in Missouri, in advance of the Senate Families, Seniors and Health Committee hearing on January 21, NACDS submitted a statement in support of SB 968, a PBM reform bill that includes key provisions for pharmacies: 

• Requires fair and transparent PBM reimbursement to pharmacies, covering both drug acquisition and dispensing costs. 

• Protects patient choice by prohibiting PBM steering and ensuring access to local pharmacies, especially for vulnerable populations. 

• Sets a minimum dispensing fee at 90% of the Missouri HealthNet rate. 

• Strengthens MAC price appeal rights for pharmacies, including a longer appeal window and better access to alternative drug sources. 

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

The Legislature convened the regular session on January 7 and will adjourn by May 15.

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

The Department of Social Services, through the MO HealthNet Division, is seeking input on key initiatives and priorities to consider for potential funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program. The deadline to submit comments on this form is September 30. More information is available on the Press Release . 

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

The Board of Pharmacy license renewals for pharmacies, drug distributors, drug outsourcers, drug distributor registrants and third-party logistics providers will be emailed on August 15 to the business e-mail address on file with the Board, along with instructions for renewing online via the MOPRO online licensing portal.

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