The Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative (TPI) Board established by HB 4990 (2023) submitted its business plan recommendations to Gov. Greg Abbott (R), the Legislature and the Legislative Budget Board on September 30. TPI’s goal is to provide greater, and more cost-effective access to prescription drugs and essential medical supplies to employees, dependents and retirees of public higher education systems; members of the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS); members of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS); individuals under the Texas Department of Criminal Justice or Texas Juvenile Justice Department; and individuals served by health and human services programs, including Medicaid and the Child Health Insurance Program.
Also in Texas, last month, the Health and Human Services Commission’s (HHSC) Vendor Drug Program (VDP announced that HHSC suspended its efforts to conduct pharmacy cost of dispensing and ingredient cost studies. The reason given was that “As in recent past legislative sessions, the 89th Legislature may choose to contemplate pharmacy reimbursement matters which could significantly influence how HHSC approaches and obtains necessary appropriations for pharmacy reimbursement in both fee-for-service and managed care settings.”
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.