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For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

NACDS learned that the Department of Medicaid Services moved up the release of the RFP for the Single PBM program to fall 2026, signaling a strong commitment from the Spanberger Administration to bring financial relief to pharmacies. 

Also in Virginia, Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) vetoed HB 483 and SB 271, companion bills that would have created a Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB). In her veto statement, the Governor reasoned that similar entities in other states have not worked to lower the price of prescription drugs and that she proudly signed other bills to help reduce healthcare costs, including SB 669, which will hold PBMs accountable by requiring health insurance carriers to offer transparent plan options. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) vetoed HB 483 and SB 271, companion bills that sought to establish a prescription drug affordability board. The Governor’s veto statement is included in her news release. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed SB 669 (Chapter 36)/HB 830, a key initiative of her administration to address PBM structure in the commercial market. The law will require all health insurance carriers to use a pass-through pricing model. It also will prohibit a PBM from reversing and/or resubmitting a pharmacy claim without meeting certain requirements; reducing any pharmacy payment through effective rates; and retroactively denying or reducing a claim or aggregate of claims, except under certain circumstances. Additionally, it requires the State Corporation Commission to compile a report of its examination of PBM steering practices with recommendations to the General Assembly by December 1, 2027. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Commonwealth is poised to strengthen PBM regulation in the commercial market with the passage of SB 669, which has been sent to Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) for approval. The bill mandates pass-through pricing for PBMs, requires insurers to offer at least one prescription plan with a fee-only compensation structure if requested, bans retroactive payment cuts and protects pharmacies from PBM retaliation for filing complaints. Additionally, the Administration intends to move forward with the process to implement a Single PBM model in Medicaid Managed Care, supported by the inclusion of startup funding for the RFP process in the current budget proposal, which is still being negotiated.  

Also in Virginia, the Board of Pharmacy posted the March 17 agenda packet. Please note that it includes the 2025 Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technician Workforce Survey Report(s). 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

HB 830, legislation requiring commercial PBMs to utilize pass through pricing models and offer at least one plan that restricts PBM revenue to a set fee, was amended and passed the House unanimously. The bill also limits PBMs' ability to charge fees and retroactively reduce pharmacy reimbursement. It is now in the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee and we expect that it will eventually reach Gov. Abigail Spanberger's (D) desk.  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

NACDS and VACDS are working with Gov. Abigail Spanberger's (D) staff and key legislators to advance PBM reform in the short, 60-day 2026 legislative session. The following bills advanced this week in their respective chambers: 

• SB 668: Adds detail around the structure and contracting requirements for the Single PBM Medicaid Managed Care program. 

• HB 631: Requires the Single PBM contract to be awarded by January 1, 2027.  

• HB 830: Requires PBMs to operate under pass-through pricing model; requires insurers to offer at least one product that prohibits a PBM from deriving income from pharmacy benefit management services other than a management fee; prohibits retroactive reductions to pharmacy payments; includes anti-retaliation provisions. It also applies these provisions to the state employee health plan.  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Department of Medicaid Services (DMAS) Pharmacy Liaison Committee posted the minutes from its December 2025 meeting.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

The Board of Pharmacy amended the vaccine statewide protocol for adults. Pharmacists, or a pharmacy technician or pharmacy intern under the supervision of the pharmacist, may now administer the COVID-19 vaccine to persons 18 years of age or older in accordance with the directions for use in adults of a manufacturer’s product approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) or the Immunization Schedule published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”). Visit the protocols page for more information.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.