By a 31-2 vote, just before adjourning for summer, the Senate passed SB 230, that would permit pharmacists to test and treat for flu, strep and COVID under a Board of Pharmacy statewide protocol. The bill also requires insurance carriers and Medicaid to reimburse pharmacies for providing the services. We expect the House to take up the bill during the lame duck session in the fall.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced that he is implementing several new fraud prevention initiatives to strengthen and build-upon long-standing efforts to fight fraud, waste and abuse in the Medicaid system.
Also in Ohio, the Board of Pharmacy posted the following:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Board of Pharmacy distributed a notice announcing that on June 9, they will activate a PMP [Prescription Monitoring Program] Gateway feature called provider authorization. On that date anyone without an active Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System (OARRS) user account or an account with missing or inaccurate information will lose access. Please refer to the notice for instructions on how to update or create an account.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The results of the primary election held May 5 are as follows:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Board of Pharmacy published New OARRS Rules that will be effective on July 1.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Gov. Mike Dewine (R) signed HB 229, sponsored by Rep. Kelli Deeter (R), into law this week. The law establishes licensure for PBMs beginning in 2027; prohibits certain PBM practices; and allows the Department of Insurance to take disciplinary actions for violations, including fines and license suspension or revocation. Additionally, it requires PBMs to enter into written agreements and provide regular accounting of rebates, fees and other financial arrangements to plan sponsors and permits the Department to access PBM records and data.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Gainwell Technologies, the Single PBM for Medicaid, announced that effective April 1, per Ohio Administrative Code Rule 5160-1-01, products will only be covered if they are determined to be medically necessary. Concurrent pharmacy claims for Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists (GLP-1s) and Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors (DPP-4s) will deny at point-of-sale. Affected members and prescribers have been notified of the change.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
HB 229, legislation sponsored by Rep. Kellie Deeter (R), establishing PBM licensure and regulation, passed the Senate last week and is now back in the House for concurrence with Senate amendments. Meanwhile, HB 192, Rep. Tim Barhorst's (R) bill that mandates a cost-based pharmacy reimbursement floor, among other reforms, was heard in the House Insurance Committee on March 11.
Also in Ohio, the Board of Pharmacy posted March 2026 Rules and Resolutions that includes a resolution delaying enforcement of USP 797 and 795 to February 28, 2027.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Gainwell Technologies, the Medicaid Single PBM (SPBM), announced effective April 1 brand Suboxone will transition to non-preferred status and will require Prior Authorization (PA). Generic buprenorphine/naloxone will remain Preferred (No PA Required). The announcement further encouraged pharmacies to ensure they have advance supplies of the preferred product to manage this utilization shift without patient interruption.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
