Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) and the Department of Public Health and Human Services announced the state will receive $233 million dedicated to rural healthcare in 2026. Montana received the fourth-most money of any state. Only Texas, Alaska, and California received more. The state health department will now submit a revised budget to CMS.  

Also in Montana, NACDS encourages interested members to review the information and updates on the state’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) website.  

Highlights include the following:  

• In the upper right corner of the website under “Stay Engaged”, please consider signing up for email updates.  

• Review “Next Steps”. For questions about this project, please email HHSRuralHealthTransformation@mt.gov”. 

• Review “Frequently Asked Questions”, particularly questions related to funding and stakeholder engagement. 

• Review “Stakeholder Advisory Meetings”. Below are the agenda and presentation from the January 22, 2026 meeting. 

• • Meeting Agenda  

• • Rural Health Transformation Stakeholder Advisory Committee presentation: Please note RHTP governance overview (slide #5), procurement (slides #6 and #7), and program initiatives (slides #13 through #29) 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

Effective October 1, the drug gabapentin will be a Schedule V controlled substance in the state, pursuant to the new law HB 41. Please see the below Fact Sheets for information to help with implementation:  

• Gabapentin Fact Sheet for Pharmacies and Pharmacists  

• Gabapentin Fact Sheet for Prescribers and Patients  

For additional information, contact the Board of Pharmacy at (406) 841-2371 or dlibsdpha@mt.gov, or the Prescription Drug Registry (MPDR) Program at (406) 841-2240 or dlibsdmpdr@mt.gov.  

Also in Montana, the Board of Pharmacy cancelled its Full Board Meeting on October 3. The board will meet again on December 5. 

Finally in Montana, effective October 1, Bausch Health US, LLC and its subsidiary Salix Pharmaceuticals have terminated their participation in the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program. State Medicaid Programs are prohibited from utilizing federal funds to pay for medications manufactured by companies that don't participate in the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program.  

Therefore, several medications, most non-preferred, will no longer be covered by Montana Healthcare Programs. The most notable are Retin-A and Xifaxan. Generic Retin-A will replace the brand as a preferred product. Unfortunately, Xifaxan does not have a generic alternative. The manufacturer has said that they will provide Xifaxan to Medicaid members through a patient assistance program. The application for which can be found here. Please, alert members and their providers so that they can start this process and avoid interruptions in care.  

Below is a complete list of labelers whose rebate agreements and coverage will be terminated October 1. For more information, please contact Shannon Sexauer, PharmD, Medicaid Pharmacist, Allied Health Services Bureau, at shannon.sexauer@mt.gov.  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

The Board of Pharmacy posted its June 13 meeting agenda. New agenda items may be added or removed up to forty-eight hours before the meeting. For the most accurate agenda, please consult the website. The Board may reorder the agenda at the beginning of the meeting

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

Effective December 1, the Montana Pharmacy Association announced several changes: Stuart Doggett, Executive Director, will semi-retire; Deedee Grubs will begin as the association’s Executive Director; and Tony King, PharmD, MBA will serve as its lobbyist for the 2025 Montana Legislative session. Dr. King is currently the Retail Pharmacy Strategy Coordinator at St. Peter’s Health in Helena.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

On June 17, the Department of Public Health and Human Services will hold a public hearing via remote conferencing to consider proposed amendments to Medicaid and non-Medicaid provider rates, fee schedules and effective dates. For pharmacy providers, the following are proposed changes to outpatient drugs reimbursement for both dispensing fees and vaccine administration fees. 

(f) The outpatient drugs reimbursement dispensing fees range as provided in ARM 37.86.1105(3)(b) is effective July 1, 2023 July 1, 2024:  

(i) for pharmacies with prescription volume between 0 and 39,999, the minimum is $5.11 $5.28, and the maximum is $16.36 $17.01;  

(ii) for pharmacies with prescription volume between 40,000 and 69,999, the minimum is $5.11 $5.28, and the maximum is $14.16 $14.73; or  

(iii) for pharmacies with prescription volume greater than or equal to 70,000, the minimum is $5.11 $5.28, and the maximum is $11.98  $12.46.  

(g) remains the same.  

(h) The outpatient drugs reimbursement vaccine administration fee, as provided in ARM 37.86.1105(6), will be $21.32 for the first vaccine and $18.65 $15.53 for each additional vaccine administered on the same date of service, effective July 1, 2023 July 1, 2024. 

Concerned persons may submit their data, views or arguments either orally or in writing at the hearing. Written data, views or arguments may also be submitted to: Bailey Yuhas, Department of Public Health and Human Services, Office of Legal Affairs, P.O. Box 4210, Helena, Montana, 59604-4210; fax (406) 444-9744; or e-mail hhsadminrules@mt.gov, and must be received no later than 5:00 pm on June 21. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

The Department of Labor and Industry is looking for a pharmacist to serve in a new third inspector position for the Board of Pharmacy. This position is responsible for performing pharmacy inspections around the state, issuing inspection reports, verifying licensure of pharmacy personnel and facilities, verifying compliance with state and federal statutes and regulations, and communicating with a variety of licensees and stakeholders. The application closing date is May 30. The job posting and instructions for applying are available online. If you have any questions, please contact Marcie Bough, Executive Officer, at (406) 841-2371.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

On December 22, 2023, the Board of Pharmacy published a final rule (MAR 24-124-80) and adopted New Rule I (ARM 24.174.505, Pharmacist Prescribing: General Requirements) implementing SB (Senate Bill) 112 (Statute: 37-7-106, MCA, Pharmacist Prescribing Authority – exceptions), that allows for independent prescribing authority for pharmacists in limited situations. The new rule was adopted as proposed and became effective December 23, 2023. Additional information will be available soon on the Board’s webpage. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

The Board of Pharmacy and the Board of Veterinary Medicine posted the Joint Full Board Meeting Agenda for December 7. The meeting will be held by teleconference only; see agenda for details. Information is available on the Board meetings page.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

On November 28 at 1:00 pm, a public hearing will be held via remote conferencing to consider proposed adoption of New Rule I pertaining to pharmacist prescribing [MAR Notice No. 24-174-80]. The 2023 legislature passed SB 112, allowing for independent prescribing authority for pharmacists in limited situations; it is necessary to set standards for patient care, evaluation, recordkeeping, and provider notification required of pharmacists prescribing under SB 112’s authority. In addition to oral testimony at the hearing, written comments may be submitted at dli.mt.gov/rules or P.O. Box 1728; Helena, MT 59624-1728; comments must be received no later than 5:00 pm on December 1.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.