The second 30-day special legislative session convened on August 26, 2025. 

Also in Texas, HB 25, legislation allowing pharmacists to dispense ivermectin without a prescription, was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott (R). The bill requires the Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) to adopt standardized procedures and protocols for pharmacists to follow.  

Also in Texas, HB 7, legislation that strengthens existing law on abortion-inducing drugs, will allow private citizens to sue anyone who manufactures, distributes, mails or provides abortion medication to or from Texas, passed the House and is awaiting final approval in the Senate before heading to Gov. Greg Abbott's (R) desk. 

Finally in Texas, HB 4535, which passed during the regular session and went into effect on September 1, 2025, is aimed at ensuring that Texans are equipped with the information they need to make informed medical decisions by requiring written informed consent prior to any COVID-19 vaccination. The Department of State Health Service (DSHS) created a COVID-19 Vaccine Information Statement to be used as a handout at the pharmacy to comply with the law. 

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

The 30-day special legislative session is set to officially conclude on August 19. However, many Democratic lawmakers are currently out of the state, which means the House cannot conduct business without a quorum. As a result, House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R) announced that if a quorum is not present, the House will adjourn sine die on August 15. If this occurs, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has pledged to immediately call for another special session. 

Also in Texas, at the August 8 meeting, the Board of Pharmacy adopted rules on prescription delivery, allowing certain prescription drugs to be delivered by drones and contract carriers. The rules take effect on the date that they are published in the Texas Register. 

Also in Texas, the Board of Pharmacy members elected HEB pharmacist Donna Montemayor to serve at Vice President of the Board and Donnie Lewis, RPh to serve as Treasurer. 

Also in Texas, on September 1, the Health and Human Services Commission's (HHSC) Vendor Drug Program (VDP) will begin identifying some drugs with temporary non-preferred (TNP) status. TNP drugs are new-to-market drugs available on the Medicaid formulary but that have not yet been reviewed by the state's Drug Utilization Review Board for a preferred drug list status, either preferred or non-preferred.  

Also in Texas, HHSC is encouraging pharmacies to enroll in Healthy Texas Women (HTW), offering women's health and family planning services at no cost to eligible Texans. More information on the program can be found on the HTW website. Pharmacies can enroll as participating HTW providers when completing the enrollment process through the Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership's (TMHP's) Provider Enrollment and Management System (PEMS). Pharmacies are automatically enrolled in HTW when completing the Medicaid enrollment unless the pharmacy unchecks the HTW participation box. The HTW Provider Certification and Attestation form does not apply to pharmacies. See the TMHP PEMS website for enrollment information. 

Also in Texas, HHSC removed the non-preferred status from the generic methylphenidate patch products on the preferred drug list effective August 11, as a result of manufacturer-reported backorders due to supply shortages. 

Finally in Texas, HHSC published an update to the Clinical Prior Authorization Assistance Chart (PDF). HHSC requires managed care organizations (MCOs) to implement specific clinical prior authorizations for clients enrolled in managed care. Usage of other clinical prior authorizations will vary between MCOs at the discretion of each MCO. Refer to the Pharmacy Provider Procedure Manual for more information about required clinical prior authorizations in managed care. 

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

The 30-day special legislative session entered its third week with high drama, as Democrat lawmakers fled the state to prevent Republicans from holding a vote in the House on a new congressional map that was approved by the House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting. The Democrats face a $500 fine for every day they break quorum. The Texas House voted 85-6 on August 4 to track down and arrest more than 50 Democrat lawmakers. House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R) signed civil warrants, empowering the House sergeant-at-arms and state troopers to arrest and bring them to the Capitol.

Also in Texas, Diabetes News You Can Use is a free news bulletin from the Department of State Health Services (DSHS). It is compiled by the Diabetes Prevention and Control Program and highlights information and news related to diabetes.

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 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.