The Medicaid Vendor Drug Program (VDP) held a virtual quarterly pharmacy stakeholder meeting on January 17. 

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

The next quarterly meeting of the Board of Pharmacy is Tuesday, February 6, at the new Barbara Jordan State office building. The agenda will be posted here when it becomes available. 

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

Gov. Greg Abbott (R) appointed Mike McKinney, M.D., Golinda Erowele, PharmD, and Tony Schell to the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative Governing Board. McKinney will serve as the Chair of the Board tasked with developing a business plan to provide cost effective drugs and other medical supplies for the public employee sector. 

Also in Texas, the Governor reappointed two chain pharmacists, Rick Fernandez with Walgreens, and Julie Spier with Albertsons Companies to additional 6-year terms to the State Board of Pharmacy. Gov. Abbott also appointed two new members to the Board, Randy Martin, a pharmacist and clinical services manager at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, and public member Garrett Marquis, chief communications officer for the Bank of New York Mellon. 

Also in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) alerted providers that beginning January 1, 2024, the managed care organization Amerigroup, began operating under a new name Wellpoint.  

Finally in Texas, the State Board of Pharmacy updated licensing and renewal fees effective January 1, 2024. Fees for pharmacists and pharmacies have increased, but there was no change to pharmacy technician fees. The Board of Pharmacy also established new fees for remote pharmacies. 

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

The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Vendor Drug Program (VDP) now covers the 2023-2024 Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Novavax commercial COVID-19 vaccines as a pharmacy benefit for both Medicaid managed care and fee-for-service, as well as the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). 

Also in Texas, Medicaid will perform the semi-annual update of the Medicaid preferred drug list on January 25, 2024. The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) made the PDL changes based on recommendations made at the October 2023 Drug Utilization Review Board meeting. Drug list recommendations from the meeting are available. Drugs with preferred status drugs may include brand name medication which would not require a PDL prior authorization nor the value of “1” in the “Dispense as Written (DAW) Product Selection code” field (408-D8). Refer to the Dispense as Written section of the Formulary Coverage chapter of the Pharmacy Provider Procedure Manual for more information. 

Also in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is soliciting comments on the prospective clinical prior authorization proposals likely to be presented at the Texas Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board meeting on January 26, 2024. The board reviews and recommends clinical criteria and the preferred or non-preferred drug status on the Medicaid formulary.  

Also in Texas, December 11 was the filing deadline for the March 5, 2024, primary election.  

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

United Supermarkets’ pharmacist Tim Purser and his wife Charity who is standing next to Gov. Gregg Abbott (R), accompanied NACDS to a Lubbock fundraiser for the Chair of the House Calendars Committee, Dustin Burrows (R).

Also in Texas, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar (R) announced the Opioid Abatement Fund Council (OAFC) decisions to approve up to $25 million over the next year of opioid settlement trust funds to be allocated for each grant plan strategy – the distribute Naloxone, the promotion of substance abuse and prevention by raising awareness of students in grades kindergarten through 12^th , as well as their parents and caregivers, and bolstering training, recruitment and retention, and certification assistance for the behavioral health workforce. The OAFC had previously approved rules for distribution of $166.7 million of the funds to more than 150 hospital districts over 18 years. Additionally, last March $47.1 million of the Opioid Abatement funds was distributed to political subdivisions.

Also in Texas, the Board of Pharmacy adopted and proposed several new rules at their November meeting.

Also in Texas, the PMP Advisory Committee meeting will be meeting virtually December 14^th.

Finally in Texas, Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) is suing Pfizer for “misrepresenting COVID-19 vaccine efficacy and conspiring to censor public discourse, arguing that Pfizer’s claim that the COVID-19 vaccine was 95% effective against infection was “highly misleading.” The lawsuit also charges that Pfizer engaged in a conspiracy to silence dissent by coordinating with social media companies to remove “truth-tellers” from their platforms.

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

NACDS sponsored the Texas Federation of Drug Stores’ (TFDS) Legislative Champions reception and dinner in Austin last week, honoring State Sen. Pete Flores (R) and State Rep. Four Price (R), sponsors of the immunization bill that would have made PREP Act permanent, and State Rep Stephanie Klick (R), the House Public Health Committee Chair and sponsor of our Medicaid U&C (usual & customary) bill. 

Also in Texas, the Board of Pharmacy held a quarterly meeting on November 7. The new Executive Director/Secretary Danny Carroll Pharm.D., R.Ph., presided over his first Board meeting. 

Also, in Texas, before the third 30-day special session adjournment, the Legislature sent Gov. Greg Abbott (R) two pieces of legislation before adjourning the third Special Session on November 7. SB 4 by Sen. Pete Flores (R) addressed border security, and HB (House Bill) 7 by Rep. Jeff Leach (R) and Sen. Mayes Middleton (R) prohibits private employers from adopting policies that require the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment. The Governor is expected to sign both bills into law. 

Also in Texas, immediately after the end of the third special session. Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced a fourth special session on school choice and border security. 

Also in Texas, the Health, and Human Services Commission (HHSC) published an annual report on the Prescription Drug Rebate Program for health benefit programs administered by HHSC System: Texas Medicaid Program, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Kidney Health Care (KHC) Program, Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) Services Program and the Healthy Texas Women (HTW) Program. 

Also in Texas, Medicaid clarified the new policy implementing HB 916 passed earlier this year that amends Section 1369.102 of the Texas Insurance Code to require health benefit plans, including Medicaid fee-for-service and managed care, to follow certain quantity supply criteria for prescription contraceptive drugs. The Medicaid fee-for-service and managed care policy is effective January 1, 2024. 

Finally in Texas, the November 7 election results: 

• Texas voters approved 13 of the 14 constitutional amendments.
• State Sen. John Whitmire (D) and U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D) are headed to a December runoff in Houston’s mayoral race. 
• In Texas State House District 2, Jill Dutton (R) and Brent Money (R) advance to runoff for a House special election replacing expelled former state Rep. Bryan Slaton (R).  

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

The third special session ends November 7, so lawmakers only have a short window of time to move forward on the Governor’s priority legislation on school vouchers and funding, prohibiting private employer COVID mandates and border security. Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has hinted at the possibility of a fourth special session if his school vouchers proposal does not pass.  

Also in Texas, HEB’s Austin Pharmacy and Wellness teams toured NACDS Texas lobbyists through two HEB facilities, educating our team on the operations and healthcare services provided to the local community. 

Also in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) appointed Raymond Charles Winter as Inspector General for Texas Health and Human Services, replacing Sylvia Hernandez Kauffman, who served for six years.  

Also in Texas, the Health, and Human Services Commission’s (HHSC) Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is hosting an Immunization Webinar on November 8. Topics include influenza programs, adult immunizations, current disease rates and strategies to improve immunization coverage. 

Finally in Texas, HHSC’s DSHS’ announced a $4 million dollar grant to help implement policies and programs to prevent the use of dangerous drugs like fentanyl. The agency will create new tools to analyze the causes and effects of drug poisoning and then use that information to develop science-based strategies to prevent drug use and poisonings. 

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

Gov. Greg Abbott (R) called lawmakers back to Austin this week for a third 30-day special session to advance border security measures, address school choice/vouchers and education savings accounts and tackle private employer COVID vaccine mandates.  

Also in Texas, prior to the third special session, State Comptroller of Public Accounts Glenn Hegar (R) announced a certification revenue estimate (CRE) for the Fiscal Year 2024-25 biennium projecting a Rainy-Day Fund balance of $23.77 billion. 

Also in Texas, the Health, and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Medicaid posted the September 2023 End of Continuous Medicaid Coverage Dashboard. 

Also in Texas, the next quarterly meeting of the Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) is on November 7 in Austin. This will be the first meeting with the new Executive Director/Secretary Danny Carroll, PharmD. 

Also in Texas, NACDS submitted comments to the State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) on its strategic plan for fiscal years 2025-29, recommending statutory and regulatory changes to expand upon the temporary flexibilities under the federal PREP Act related to vaccinations and Test & Treat services. NACDS also urged TSBP to eliminate the ratio at a central fill Class A pharmacy and expand telepharmacy services beyond FQHCs (Federally Qualified Health Centers). 

Finally in Texas, the Health, and Humans Services Commission (HHSC) Vendor Drug Program (VDP) Medicaid announced several changes in Preferred Drug list status effective on October 16, 2023, needed because of the shortage of several preferred brand name medications. 

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

Gov. Greg Abbott (R) issued a Proclamation convening a third special session on October 9 focused on public education funding, illegal immigration and private employer COVID vaccine mandates.

Also in Texas, the Health and Humans Services Commission’s (HHSC) September 2023 biannual specialty drug list is now available.

Also in Texas, the Legislature approved funding for the Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) to offer statewide integration of the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) in pharmacy management systems and NarxCare access at no cost to pharmacies beginning September 1, 2023.

Also in Texas, state Medicaid and Healthcare Partnership (TMHP) is gearing up to participate in a town hall meeting on the enrollment process for the Medicaid Vendor Drug Program (VDP), including Medicaid managed care. All pharmacy providers must enroll or complete their revalidation enrollment with HHSC through the Provider Enrollment and Management System (PEMS). Register here.

Also in Texas, after two weeks of the impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), on September 16, the Senate voted to acquit the Attorney General on all 16 impeachment articles. A total of 21 senators would have had to approve at least one article of impeachment for Attorney General Paxton to be convicted and removed from office.

Also in Texas, HEB pharmacist Doug Read, R.Ph., PharmD. was reappointed to serve a three- year term on the Prescription Monitoring Program Advisory Committee, established under section 481.067 of the Texas Controlled Substances Act.

Also, the Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) adopted several new rules at its August meeting.

Also in Texas, on September 22, the TSBP convened a special hybrid meeting to review and approve the search committee’s recommendations for a new Executive Director/Secretary, replacing Tim Tucker who was terminated by the Board last February. By unanimous vote, Board members offered the job to Daniel (Danny) Carroll, a Pharm.D. graduate from The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy who is currently the Director of Pharmacy at Northwest Hills Surgical Hospital in Austin. Carroll accepted and will begin in mid-October.

Finally in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) published a report on the End of Continuous Medicaid Coverage September 2023 Monthly Enrollment Report to CMS.

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