A new law in Texas moves to add greater transparency to drug pricing in the state. Texas Governor Greg Abbot signed HB 2356 this summer, which requires pharmaceutical drug manufacturers, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and health benefit plans to report drug pricing information to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). The reporting requirements […]
HHS Announces “Safe” Drug Importation Plan
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced this week that it and the FDA are publishing a Safe Importation Action Plan with two pathways for drug importation of certain drugs from foreign markets. HHS Secretary Alex Azar stated that this “announcement outlines the pathways the Administration intends to explore to allow safe […]
National Pharmacy Organizations Address Pharmacist Well-Being Through Consensus Conference Recommendations
In response to rapid changes in pharmacy practice models and a changing and evolving health care system that impacting the well-being of the nation’s pharmacists, 85 individuals representing pharmacists and employers from across practice settings, schools and colleges of pharmacy, regulators, accreditors, and professional organizations have agreed to a set of 50 recommendations to address […]
Illinois to Pay Nearly $5 Million to Independent Pharmacies
The state of Illinois is sending $4.7 million to more than 70 independent pharmacies caught in the “financial squeeze of inadequate reimbursements” from filling Medicaid prescriptions. This money, a part of the $10 million Critical Access Pharmacy Program, is intended to assist small, independent pharmacies, located mostly in downstate Illinois, facing financial issues related to […]
Oregon Governor Signs PBM Regulation Bill
Earlier this week, Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed Oregon HB 2185, relating to pharmacy benefit managers, into law. The bill, supported by the Oregon State Pharmacy Association (OSPA), establishes some basic fair practices: Allows patients the option to use a local pharmacy instead of mandating use of a mail order pharmacy; Allows local Oregon pharmacies […]
State Provider Status Comes to Texas
Two Texas bills recognizing pharmacists as providers and providing payment for pharmacist services were signed into law at the end of May. Championed by the Texas Pharmacy Association, HB 3441 prohibits insurers from denying reimbursement to pharmacists for services provided within the scope of their license, if those services are covered when provided by a […]