The Texas Pharmaceutical Initiatives (TPI) Board met on March 18 to review the Interagency Cooperation Contracts with the Texas A&M University System College of Pharmacy. TPI staff provided updates on the revised business plan due on June 1. The Board was also briefed on the input received by TPI staff from external stakeholders, including NACDS, regarding the implementation of the TPI Business Plan.

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

NACDS, the Texas Federation of Drug Stores (TFDS) and the Texas Pharmacy Association (TPA) met with Stephanie Muth, Executive Commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), and her leadership team. Muth previously served as Medicaid Director during her more than 15-year tenure at HHSC, as well as holding roles as deputy executive commissioner and chief of staff before departing the agency in 2020. Bringing all Texas pharmacy groups together for this meeting was important to demonstrate unity on key priorities: no below-cost reimbursement; PBM reforms to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse; and the recognition of pharmacies as healthcare providers for Rural Health Transformation projects. 

Also in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commissions (HHSC) Vendor Drug Program (VDP) revised Pharmacy Provider Procedure Manual that includes information about Medicaid benefits, policies and procedures for outpatient pharmacy claims and rebates was released. 

Also in Texas, HHSC announced that in accordance with the requirements of HB229, ImmTrac2 forms have been updated. 

Also in Texas, HHSC has transitioned to a new web-based software application, State of Texas Electronic Provider System (STEPS), to collect information from providers for Medicaid and non-Medicaid cost reports, Supplemental and Directed Payment Program (DPP) enrollments and legislatively directed reports. 

Finally in Texas, HHSC's Executive Council will meet on March 19 at 10:00 am. Members of the public are welcome to view the meeting by webcast and click on the Winters Live tab or you may attend in-person at the John H. Winters Building, Public Hearing Room 125, First Floor, 701 West 51st Street, Austin, Texas 78751. Information to watch the meeting virtually or to attend the meeting in-person is also located on the agenda.  

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

The primary election is on March 3. 

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

The Health and Human Services Commission's (HHSC) Vendor Drug Program (VDP) Medicaid hosted a quarterly pharmacy stakeholder meeting. One issue discussed was the usual and customary policy changes that VDP is making as a result of a new statute, HB 2402, requiring a pharmacy to exclude any fee, charge or rate offered as part of a monthly fee-based membership discount program when determining the usual and customary charge the pharmacies put on fee-for-service pharmacy claims. The proposed rule amendments went through an informal comment period in November 2025, and VDP told stakeholders that they are reviewing the comments received. NACDS and the other Texas pharmacy groups raised concerns about the recent SureScripts/GoodRx announcement and asked that the rule be revised and reissued as a draft in light of this new development.  

Also in Texas, the Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda for the February 3 quarterly meeting in Austin. 

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

Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced the appointment of Amanda Crawford as the new Insurance Commissioner, replacing Cassie Brown, who recently announced that she would be retiring on February 2. 

Also in Texas, House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R) requested that all House Committee chairs submit their interim charges by February 9. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) requested Senators provide their interim charge recommendations by February 20.  

Also in Texas, the Health and Human Service Commission's Vendor Drug Program (Medicaid) Policy team is hosting a quarterly Pharmacy Stakeholder meeting on January 21 at 9:00 am Central Time. Anyone interested in joining the calls needs to contact vdp-policy@hhs.texas.gov to preregister to receive the calendar invite and slide deck.  

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

Insurance Commissioner Cassie Brown announced that she will be retiring on February 2, after more than four years of leading the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI).

Also in Texas, the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative (TPI) Board announced that they are sending a Request for Information (RFI) to companies that believe they can operate a single PBM for the 1.4 million state beneficiaries covered by public higher education insurance, the Employees Retirement System of Texas, the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, the Texas Criminal and Juvenile Justice systems and other individuals served by the Health and Human Services Commission. TPI’s plan is due on Gov. Greg Abbott’s (R) desk by June 1, 2026.

Finally in Texas, the legislature is not in session in 2026.

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

In response to the Board of Pharmacy’s (TSBP) request for input on the strategic plan, NACDS made several recommendations to pursue policy changes that will benefit public health.

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

Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed into law HB 25, legislation allowing pharmacists to dispense ivermectin without requiring a prescription order from a licensed healthcare practitioner effective December 4.  

The second 30-day special legislative session ended early on September 4.  

Also in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) sent CMS a state plan amendment regarding substitutions when there are drug shortages. Considering CMS is encouraging states to do this, Texas is expecting quick approval.  

Also in Texas, the Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda for the September 25 Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) Advisory Committee meeting.  

Also in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Vendor Drug Program (VDP) is currently accepting stakeholder comments on requiring a prescription for the COVID-19 At-Home Test Kit. Currently, at-home COVID-19 test kits are available without a prescription. The policy change includes requiring a prescription for test kits filled and dispensed for members in Medicaid and CHIP. HHSC does not propose changing the quantity limit of a maximum of four test kits per month.  

Also in Texas, the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) issued a Texas COVID-19 Vaccine Information Statement, outlining the benefits, risks, development process, long-term studies, legal protections and adverse event reporting related to the COVID-19 vaccine. Pharmacies are required to provide patients with this document and obtain written informed consent from the patient as a result of HB 4535, which took effect on September 1.  

Finally in Texas, NACDS submitted the state survey on the Rural Health Transformation Program funds. 

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