On December 9, the Assembly Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance held a second hearing on A4953, Patient and Provider Protection Act, legislation that includes PBM reforms.  NACDS submitted a letter to the Committee Chair Roy Freiman (D) who also sponsored the bill.  The bill was amended and recommitted within the committee.

Also in New Jersey, on December 9, the Senate Committee on Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens held a hearing on A1899 and S1981, companion bills that would expand vaccine and pharmacy technician authority.  The bills were approved by the committee and expect action on the Senate floor on December 19.  NACDS will continue to advocate for expedited passage of this bill.

Finally in New Jersey, on December 11, the Board of Pharmacy held its regular scheduled meeting.  The next meeting is scheduled for January 22, 2025.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

On October 29, 2024, the Senate Committee on Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens approved S1981, an Act to expand authority of pharmacy technicians in administering drugs and vaccines and permits pharmacists and pharmacy interns, externs and technicians to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. The bill was moved with an amendment, which now moves to the Senate floor for action. The Assembly had previously approved the same bill, A1899. The bills will need to be reconciled before final passage. NACDS will continue to advocate for passage of legislation that expands vaccine authority and recognizes pharmacy technicians.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

On October 17, A4953 was introduced and on October 24, the Assembly Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance held a discussion only hearing. The bill titled “Patient and Provider Protection Act” attempts to regulate PBMs by implementing a fiduciary duty and a rate floor. There are some concerns with the legislation that include cost of dispensing and definition of independent pharmacies.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

The New Jersey Legislature announced its fall schedule. The first meeting of the Senate Health Committee will be on October 7. NACDS, along with the New Jersey Pharmacists Association, has asked S1981 to be included on the agenda. The bill, a companion to A1899 which has passed the Assembly, would allow immunization of flu and COVID-19 for those ages 5 years and up and allow pharmacy technicians to administer vaccines.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

On July 10, Gov. Phil Murphy (D) signed a package of bills targeting prescription drug costs. Most relevant was A536, an Act Concerning Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). This new law establishes greater oversight of PBMs. The act requires rebates to be used to lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs for consumers and prevents the practice of spread pricing. It also requires PBMs to apply for a license from the NJ Department of Banking & Insurance to strengthen regulatory oversight. 

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

The New Jersey Board of Pharmacy recently released a letter on its determination to extend the Remote Processing Pilot Program.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

This week at the New Jersey Board of Pharmacy, the Board agreed to extend the remote processing pilot program for 6 months to allow time for the regulations to be finalized. The Board will be notifying New Jersey pharmacies of this extension. Today there are 124 pilot programs up and running. NACDS sent a letter last month requesting that the pilot be continued. 

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

NACDS submitted a letter to the New Jersey Board of Pharmacy asking the Board to extend the Remote Processing Pilot until the rulemaking to permanently allow for this activity is finalized. Although the Board has already initiated rulemaking to allow remote processing more broadly, the pilot is scheduled to expire at the end of June and therefore must be extended for participating pharmacies and pharmacy personnel to continue to engage in remote processing activities.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

NACDS submitted a letter to the New Jersey Board of Pharmacy seeking clarification on a policy matter related to the expiration of Schedule III-V controlled substance prescriptions. NACDS members have received direction from representatives of the New Jersey Medicaid program that contradicts both federal and state laws and regulations regarding the timeframe in which Schedule III-V prescriptions expire, NACDS has asked the Board to provide needed clarification on this matter.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.