The Prescription Monitoring Program’s (PMP) Advisory Committee will meet via Zoom on June 27.
Also in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission’s (HHSC) Vendor Drug Program (VDP) is hosting a Hepatitis C educational webinar on June 13.
Finally in Texas, the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative (TPI) Board’s next meeting will be held on June 11 at 10:00 am.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
On May 28, Texans returned to the polls for runoff elections to decide which Democratic and Republican nominees will be on the November ballot as several races failed to receive more than 50% of the vote in the primary election in March. There were eight US Congressional races, one of which is too close to call with only an 8-vote difference between the two Republican candidates vying for CD 35. In the State Senate, there were two open seats due to one retirement and one running for another office. The State House of Representatives will look much different in 2025, with nine incumbents losing in the March primaries, and seven more incumbents losing their runoffs on May 28. Of the eight Republican incumbents forced into a runoff, only Speaker Dade Phelan (R) and Dr. Gary VanDeaver (R) won their races. The chair of the House Public Health Committee and good friend of pharmacy, Stephanie Klick (R), lost her race.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
NACDS attended the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute’s Healthcare Policy Summit in Austin. Led by Republican Senators Pete Flores and Kelly Hancock and Representatives James Frank and Dr. Tom Oliverson, the program focused on exploring how to best expand the scope of practice for medical professionals to increase access to high-quality, affordable healthcare services for all Texans. Panelists Kevin Host with Walmart, Jay Bueche with HEB and Samatha Pickering with Walgreens, educated lawmakers and regulators on the value of pharmacists and pharmacies. A second panel addressed what steps legislators need to take to ease the regulatory burdens that drive up costs for consumers and employers.
Pictured left to right – Sen. Pete Flores (R), NACDS Chairman of the Board Kevin Host and Texas Rep. Dr. Tom Oliverson
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
NACDS met with Rep. Stephanie Klick (R), Chair of the House Public Health Committee, in her Ft. Worth district. The meeting in her district was a valuable opportunity to reconnect with Chair Klick thanking her for her leadership and support in promoting patient access to healthcare services. (Photo: Left to right: Mary Staples, NACDS – Cody Cribb & Stephanie McConnell, Walgreens – Texas State Rep. Stephanie Klick – Jill Lester & Jeff Loesch, Kroger).
Also in Texas, the Texas Federation of Drug Stores held a pharmacy advocacy training program and its quarterly meeting prioritizing chain pharmacy’s 2025 legislative agenda.
Finally in Texas, Speaker Dade Phelan (R) announced the 2024 Interim Charges for the House of Representatives.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Health and Human Service Commission’s (HHSC) Vendor Drug Program (VDP) extended the comment period for the annual prescriber survey for the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) to May 14.
Also in Texas, the Vendor Drug Program (VDP) posted information for pharmacies on the following three topics:
Also in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) touted that according to the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Texas economy continues to grow faster than the nation as a whole. In the fourth quarter of 2023, the real gross domestic product (GDP) for Texas grew at an annual rate of 5.0%. Texas added 270,700 jobs from March 2023 to March 2024, the most in the nation.
Also in Texas, House Speaker Dade Phelan (R) established the House Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, a new committee chaired by State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R). At the April 29 hearing, several AI (Artificial Intelligence) experts presented an overview of what is and is not considered AI. Lawmakers expressed concerns regarding data privacy and the spread of disinformation. Testimony from law enforcement highlighted how AI was helping fight the proliferation of child pornography and human trafficking.
Also in Texas, pharmacies and other stakeholders can request expedited formulary coverage, an expedited preferred drug list change or notify HHSC (Health and Human Services Commission) about potential drug shortages impacting prescribing choice and pharmacy claim processing by using the Drug Shortage Notification and Expedited Formulary or Preferred Drug List Request (HHS Form 1315).
Also in Texas, the Vendor Drug Program (VDP) posted the Pharmacy Provider Procedure Manual to learn more information about the following topics:
Finally in Texas, the Vendor Drug Program (VDP) is offering free pharmacy continuing education courses available for credit:
Refer to the Outreach and Education Resources for links to downloadable materials.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative (TPI) three-member Board held a hybrid meeting on April 9. Five of the largest state agencies on the Advisory Council (TIPAC) provided testimony, addressing issues such as prescription drug pricing, the potential for savings with a single PBM, specialty pharmacies drug pricing, the most expensive prescription drugs prescribed, drug shortages and rebates. HB 4990 passed during the 2023 Regular session requires TPI to present a plan for the legislature by October 1, 2024. The Board also has the authority to explore a distribution network and partnerships to launch a manufacturing facility for generic or biosimilar drugs. The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) recommended that the prescription drug importation program law aimed at providing lower cost prescriptions by importing them through Canada (HB 25-2023), also be addressed by TPI.
Also in Texas, the Gainwell point-of-sale claims system, the VDP (Vendor Drug Program) Provider Portal and the VDP eCOI (Electronic Certification of Information) Portal are now active.
Finally in Texas, the Board of Pharmacy posted proposed rules for prescription drug deliveries and non-sterile compounding in the March 22 Texas Register (see pages 1852-1863). Written comments on the proposed rules may be submitted to Eamon D. Briggs, Deputy General Counsel, Texas State Board of Pharmacy, 1801 Congress Avenue, Suite 13.100, Austin, Texas 78701-1319, FAX (512) 305-8061. Comments must be received by 5:00 pm on April 30, 2024.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The next meeting of the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative Board will be in Austin at 10:00 am on April 9. The meeting agenda includes instructions for webcasting.
Also in Texas, Rep. Dr. Tom Oliverson (R) announced his candidacy for Speaker of the Texas House today for the 89th Session that convenes in January of 2025.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Prescription Monitoring Program’s (PMP) Advisory Committee is meeting remotely on March 28. The meeting materials and agenda will be posted, when available.
Also in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) provided an update to the Clinical Prior Authorization Assistance Chart, identifying which clinical prior authorization each MCO uses and whether the MCO uses all or some of the steps in the evaluation process.
Finally in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) selected Gainwell Technologies as the pharmacy benefit administrator for the Vendor Drug Program. Gainwell will continue to use the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) standard D.0 telecommunication standard format for pharmacy claim transactions beginning on March 30.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Texas was one of 15 states who held their primary election contest on Super Tuesday. The ballot included President, U.S. Senator, all 38 U.S. House seats, Texas Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals Justices, district attorney’s and sheriffs, all 150 Members of the Texas House of Representatives and 15 State Senate seats. The House races were dominated the headlines with border, school choice/vouchers, and the Articles of Impeachment that were brought by the Republican-controlled House against the sitting Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R). Nine incumbents lost their seats, and nine incumbents are facing a primary runoff on May 28th.nIn fact, for the first time in more than 50 years, the Speaker of the House, Dade Phelan (R) has been forced into a runoff election.
Also in Texas, the Health, and Human Services Commission (HHSC) selected Gainwell Technologies as the pharmacy benefit administrator for the Texas Vendor Drug (VDP) Program. For pharmacies:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
