The Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) issued guidance for the emergency dispensing of prescription medications as a result of flooding in the Texas Hill Country.  

Also in Texas, the 30-day special legislative session entered its second week. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) and Speaker Dustin Burrows (R) announced the formation of House and Senate Select Committees on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding. These committees are holding hearings on improving flood warning systems, enhancing flood emergency communications, providing relief funding for the Hill Country Floods and preparing for and recovering from natural disasters. Additionally, Patrick and Burrows appointed 21 members to the newly established House and Senate Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting. 

Finally in Texas, the Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) reminded licensed pharmacists and pharmacy technicians that they are required to complete an approved Human Trafficking Prevention course each renewal period. Please see the full list of newly approved courses on the Texas Health and Human Services webpage. 

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

The Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) issued guidance for the emergency dispensing of prescription medications as a result of flooding in the Hill Country.  

Also in Texas, the Drug Utilization Review Board posted the agenda for the July 25 meeting.  

Also in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Vendor Drug Program (VDP) Medicaid issued guidance for pharmacy claims for a 90-day supply of prescription drugs for children in the Fee-For-Service program impacted by the Hill Country flooding. 

Also in Texas, NACDS sponsored the Texas Pharmacy Association's (TPA) 2025 Conference and Expo in Austin. The three-day event featured lots of CE sessions, including an update from the Executive Director of the Board of Pharmacy, pharmacist Danny Carroll. There was also a recap of the successful 89th legislative session and a Passing of the Gavel ceremony, during which pharmacist Jason Davis from HEB was sworn in as the president of TPA.  

Also in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) convened a 30-day special session on July 21. The Governor's proclamation identified 18 issues lawmakers will debate including increased funding for statewide emergency communication warning systems, regulation of hemp-derived products, tightening laws against medication abortion and congressional redistricting aimed at adding five more GOP seats. House Democrats are coming under increased pressure from national leaders in their party to prevent Republican leadership from redrawing congressional districts. Special sessions last 30 calendar days, but there is no limit on how many the governor can call. Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock (R) announced that the Biennial Revenue Estimate (BRE) for fiscal years 2026–27 remains unchanged, with $3.1 billion available for general-purpose spending through August 31, 2027. 

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) sponsored the Texas Pharmacy Association's (TPA) 2025 Conference and Expo in Austin, where pharmacists, students, and technicians joined with their pharmacy peers. The three-day event featured lots of CE sessions, including the opening general session featuring a look at the new era at TPA under the leadership of CEO RoxAnn Dominguez, and an update from the Executive Director of the Board of Pharmacy, pharmacist Danny Carroll. There was also a recap of the successful 89th legislative session and a Passing of the Gavel ceremony, during which pharmacist Jason Davis from HEB was sworn in as the president of TPA. 

Finally in Texas, Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock (R) announced that the Biennial Revenue Estimate (BRE) for fiscal years 2026–27 remains unchanged, with $3.1 billion available for general-purpose spending through Aug. 31, 2027. 

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

The Board of Pharmacy issued guidance for the emergency dispensing of prescription medications as a result of flooding in the Texas Hill Country.  

Also in Texas, the Drug Utilization Review Board posted the agenda for the July 25 meeting.  

Finally in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) will convene a 30-day special legislative session on July 21.

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

The Department of Insurance (DOI) Advisory Committee for the Standard Request Form for Prior Authorization of Prescription Drug Benefits will hold a public meeting on August 5 to discuss and take possible action on the standard prior authorization request form. As required by Insurance Code Section 1369.305(d), the advisory committee will: 

• Review the adopted standard prior authorization request form. 

• Examine the form's effectiveness and impact on patient safety. 

• Determine whether changes are needed to the form. 

Also in Texas, SB 1188, legislation ensuring electronic health records that contain patient information are maintained in the United States or a US territory, was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott (R). 

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

After signing 1,155 bills into law and vetoing 26 bills, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced that a 30-day special legislative session will convene on July 21. The Governor said that while the regular session saw substantial legislative success, additional work remains on six bills that he vetoed that regulated consumable hemp products, recording requirements for real estate documents, water project impact fees, protections for human trafficking victims, regulating cement kilns near semiconductor plants and judicial branch administration reforms.

Also in Texas, the Pharmaceutical Initiative Board (TPI) met on June 25. 

Finally in Texas, Sen. Kelly Hancock (R) announced his candidacy for the State Comptroller's race next March soon after he was sworn in as chief clerk at the comptroller's office. Hancock's appointment as chief clerk to Comptroller Glenn Hegar (R) paves the way for him to become interim comptroller when Hegar leaves his office at the end of June to become the next Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System. 

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

The Board of Pharmacy rule on removing the pharmacy technician ratio that was adopted at the May board meeting was published in the Texas Register on May 23 and effective immediately. 

Also in Texas, the Health and Human services Commission's Vendor Drug Program's (Medicaid) biannual specialty drug list was posted. 

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

The Legislature adjourned its biennial session on June 2. 

Also in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed into law SB 1236, by Sen. Bryan Hughes (R) and Rep. Cody Harris (R), PBM reform legislation that provides fair and transparent contract protections for pharmacies, requires that a group number identifying the plan be on the enrollee's identification card, enhances audit protections and ensures compliance with existing laws. It will take effect on September 1, 2025. 

Also in Texas, despite our efforts to successfully negotiate a compromise bill with the Texas Medical Association (TMA) and the Texas Pediatric Society and overcome the toxic anti-vaxxer environment and the Lt. Governor's prohibition on referring House bills that had more Democrat votes than Republicans, it was the strong opposition by grocers and the food industry opposing SB 25, Sen. Lois Kolkhorst's priority bill that killed HB 3540, legislation that would have allowed pharmacists to order and administer immunizations, and technicians to vaccinate. 

Also in Texas, HB 3441, legislation amending current law relating to the liability of vaccine manufacturers that advertise a harmful vaccine, was sent to Gov. Greg Abbott (R). 

Finally in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has until June 2 to sign or veto any bills sent to him. If he does not sign or veto a bill within this period, it will automatically become law. 

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

SB 1236, PBM reform legislation that provides fair and transparent contract protections for pharmacies, requires that a group number identifying the plan be on the enrollee's identification card, audit protections and ensures compliance with existing laws, passed unanimously approved by both houses and sent to Gov. Greg Abbott (R) to sign into law. 

Also in Texas, the House passed HB 3540 (SB 254), a bill that authorizes pharmacists to order and administer all childhood vaccines to individuals five years of age and older (three years of age and older for flu & COVID) and allows pharmacists to delegate vaccine administration to a certified technician. The bill is supported by the Texas Medical Association, the Texas Pediatric Society and all pharmacy groups. It was referred to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee awaiting a hearing. 

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

Several bills of interest to pharmacy are advancing in the final three weeks of the biennial session:  

• SB 1236 (HB 3317), PBM reform legislation that provides contract protections for pharmacies. The bill provides fairness and transparency, requires that a group number identifying the plan be on the enrollee's identification card, provides audit protections and ensures compliance with existing laws. The bill passed both houses and is on its way to Gov. Greg Abbott (R).

• HB 3540 (SB 254) permanently authorizes pharmacists to order and administer all childhood vaccines to individuals five years of age and older (three years of age and older for flu & COVID) and allows pharmacists to delegate vaccine administration to a certified technician. Physicians, pediatricians and pharmacies reached a compromise. The bill is supported by the Texas Medical Association, the Texas Pediatric Society and all pharmacy groups. The bill is on the House calendar this week. More than a dozen pharmacists from Albertsons, Brookshire Brothers, Kroger and Walgreens spent all-day Tuesday advocating for the immunizations bill and distributing the joint HB 3540 one-pager on the agreed-to bill. The chain pharmacists helped field questions and count votes. 

• HB 1027, legislation aimed at increasing access to pharmacies in underserved areas, would remove the current mileage restrictions on telepharmacies and also repeals provisions that prohibit a telepharmacy system located at a remote dispensing site from dispensing a Schedule II controlled substance. The bill passed the House and was referred to be considered next by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.  

Also in Texas, Albertsons pharmacist Rob Gagliardi, who also serves as the Bedford Mayor Pro Tem, connected with his friend Rep. Tony Tinderholt (R), the influential Floor Leader for the House Republican Caucus. 

Also in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is interested in quality improvement and value-based payment initiatives for Medicaid and other publicly funded health services. HHSC is seeking a pharmacist to serve on the Value-Based Payment and Quality Improvement Advisory Committee. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission executive commissioner will appoint members to the committee to serve a term expiring December 31, 2028. Applications are due by 11:59 pm, May 23. More information is available on the website. 

Finally in Texas, the Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) approved rules exempting central fill pharmacies from the 6:1 pharmacy technician-to-pharmacist ratio at the May 6 board meeting. The rules take effect immediately after publication in the Texas Register. 

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