NPSC Advocacy Center

Welcome to the Pharmacy Advocacy Center!

We post updates on pharmacy legislation and relevant legal developments both state and federal in this area.  Access to this tool is available to independent pharmacies as we recognize that pharmacy needs as much information as they can get in order to adapt faster to a changing environment.

Ron Lanton, who is NPSC’s legal counsel and in-house Advocacy Director, is overseeing this section of our site. Network participants will get alerts on issues that matter. If you have any questions, you can reach Mr. Lanton by phone at (240) 482-6060 or by email rlanton@lantonlaw.com.

The materials and information provided in this site are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. Use of and access to this presentation or any of the materials or information contained within this presentation do not create an attorney-client relationship between Lanton Law and the user or viewer. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any issue or problem.

2025 Highlights 

CONNECTICUT

• The CT legislature formed “CT Prescription Drug Task Force” to understand all the nuances of the PBM industry and its effects on the state from a number of perspectives. The task force included our own Ed Schreiner who delivered firsthand knowledge to the rest of the task force regarding the damage that PBM’s cause patients and pharmacy. Task Force Report.
• Our big push in CT this session along with other stakeholders was to try and get something done on PBM abuses. The taskforce was the first step. A coalition to support HB7192 was formed which focused on PBM’s and their activities. The campaign “Patients not PBM’s” was very well directed in its activity: press releases, digital media, radio etc., however the bill got watered down as there was a lot of pressure from the other side. It would have banned the use of spread pricing and other fees and require PBM’s to have a fiduciary duty to health carriers. What did come out of it however, was to put a working group in place to establish legislative recommendations related to pharmacists being compensated for certain healthcare services like vaccine administration, HIV testing, flu testing and prescribing any FDA approved products. Once again, we are pleased that our Ed Schreiner will serve on this working group.
• The second bill we were behind was HB6091 which was Equitable Medicaid Audit billing and reimbursement. This had great support from Health and Human Services but a fiscal note from the Appropriations committee killed it.

MAINE

• NPSC was successful in stopping the pharmacy tax in Maine, that the governor wanted to balance the budget.
• Additionally, we passed bill number LD180 which prohibits any pharmacy that is affiliated with a carrier or PBM, to be paid more for a prescription than any other pharmacy provider.

MASSACHUSETTS

• NPSC was front and center together with a coalition, to once again put down the desire of the state to add a pharmacy tax onto all prescriptions.

RHODE ISLAND

• NPSC was successful in passing H5245 in restricting audits to one per year.