The Board of Pharmacy posted a notice, which is required to be posted by Act 34 of 2025.

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

The General Assembly adjourned for the summer last weekend after passing the state budget bill. Of interest to pharmacy, the budget contained language allowing pharmacies that have been dropped from PBM network to reapply and be accepted under certain conditions. The language is in response to a Western PA-based independent pharmacy that has been in a legal battle with ESI.

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

The PACE program published a bulletin stating that effective July 1, 2026, PACE will recognize the Bridge program BIN as the primary payer for certain GLP-1 drugs when the Bridge program accepts and pays the claim.

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

The Department of Insurance (PID) announced the launch of a new online portal specifically for pharmacies to submit complaints related to the enforcement of Act 77, the 2024 PBM commercial market reform law. The new portal is intended to create a single, streamlined submission form that collects all required information and allows pharmacies to file complaints related to clawbacks, steering, rebates, reimbursement and specialty drug designations. NACDS encourages members to test the portal and share your feedback with Jill McCormack.

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

The Department of Human Services (DHS)issued a bulletin regarding the implementation of the Qualitrac® provider portal for prior authorization and program exception submissions. 

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

SB 1186 and HB 2270, companion bills that would reform the Medicaid Managed Care pharmacy benefit under a Single PBM model, have been introduced by Senators Lisa Boscola (D) and Judy Ward (R) and Representatives Rob Matzie (D) and Katie Klunk (R), respectively. NACDS assisted in drafting the bills and is working jointly with the PA Pharmacy Coalition to advance them. 

Also in Pennsylvania, the pharmacy technician registration deadline is approaching. To continue practicing, all pharmacy technicians must complete their registrations with Board of Pharmacy through the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) by June 28. 

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

The Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda and instructions for participating in its February 24 meeting.

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

The Pennsylvania Pharmacy Coalition issued a news release on January 20 calling for PBM reform and announcing a new advocacy website that includes an updated state pharmacy deserts map. The Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores (PACDS) is a member of the coalition, and NACDS is actively working with the coalition and PACDS to advance our joint legislative agenda. 

Also in Pennsylvania, NACDS reminds members that all pharmacy technicians must be registered with the Board of Pharmacy (PBOP) by June 28. The PBOP recently published an instructional video to assist applicants with the registration process. For more information, see:  

• Pharmacy Board Applications, Resources, and Documents 

• Applications for Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacy Technician trainees via PALS 

• PBOP Pharmacy technician registration FAQs 

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

The Board of Pharmacy’s proposed Licensure by Endorsement Rule was published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on December 20, 2025. The rule will permanently implement the expedited licensure process required by Act 34 of 2025. NACDS and the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores (PACDS) helped advance the law to allow pharmacies to more easily manage increased prescription volume following Rite Aid’s closure.

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