Healthcare (Prescription Drugs)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4194: Relates to quotas for duties performed by pharmacists and pharmacy technicians

Prohibits publicly traded pharmacies with twenty or more stores in this state from establishing or enforcing quotas for duties performed by pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, including evaluating or measuring the number of prescriptions filled, services rendered, programs offered and revenue obtained.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBans pharmacy quotas that could compromise patient safety and pharmacist autonomy, protecting quality medication services under healthcare delivery.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 30, 2025

S 3808: Relates to the practice of pharmacy and administration of immunizations

This bill (S 3808) authorizes licensed pharmacists to administer flu vaccines to patients aged nine years or older. It directly affects pharmacists, who gain this new authority, and patients aged nine and above seeking flu shots. The key provision adds a new section to education law allowing pharmacists to provide influenza immunizations without requiring a doctor's order for this specific vaccine. The bill takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes pharmacists to administer flu vaccines without doctor's order, improving patient access to preventive care for ages 9+.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7357: Relates to pharmacy benefit management services and durable medical equipment

Expands pharmacy benefit management services to include the management or administration of benefits relating to durable medical equipment; defines "durable medical equipment"; relates to pharmacy or durable medical equipment provider audits by pharmacy benefit managers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands pharmacy benefit management to include durable medical equipment, potentially improving patient access to covered equipment benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6501: Repeals sections 1 and 1-a of part FFF of chapter 56 of the laws of 2020

Relates to directing the department of health to remove the pharmacy benefit from the managed care benefit package; provides the pharmacy benefit under the fee for service program.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill removes pharmacy benefit from managed care package (which typically controls costs) and shifts to fee-for-service, likely increasing patient costs/access barriers without explicit coverage expansion.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7230: Establishes duties for pharmacies when pharmacists employed by such pharmacy refuse to fill prescriptions on the basis of personal beliefs

Establishes duties for pharmacies when pharmacists employed by such pharmacy refuse to fill prescriptions on the basis of personal beliefs; requires a pharmacy to ensure the prescription is filled by another pharmacist; requires the pharmacy to inform individuals of items not in stock; requires such items to be ordered by another pharmacist without delay; sets forth penalty provisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents pharmacists from refusing prescriptions based on personal beliefs, ensuring patient access to medications and protecting patient rights through mandatory alternative filling by another pharmacist.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5719: Relates to reimbursements practices of pharmacy benefit managers

S 5719 requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in New York to reimburse pharmacies for drugs at a rate equal to or higher than the pharmacy's actual cost of purchasing the drug. If a PBM denies a claim for a specific drug, it must provide a therapeutically equivalent alternative that the pharmacy can buy at or below the PBM's reimbursement rate; if unavailable at that cost, the PBM must adjust the reimbursement to cover the pharmacy's actual acquisition cost and allow rebilling. The bill also prohibits PBMs from reimbursing pharmacies less than they pay their own affiliated pharmacies for the same services, ensuring consistent payment rates. This directly affects pharmacies and PBMs operating in New York, aiming to prevent underpayment for drug procurement.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires PBMs to reimburse pharmacies at actual cost, preventing underpayment that could restrict drug access or increase patient costs, aligning with improved patient access and fair reimbursement practices.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4470: Provides coverage for remotely connected insulin pens for certain patients with diabetes

This bill adds coverage for remotely connected insulin pens under New York's medical assistance pharmacy benefit. It covers eligible patients with diabetes aged seven or older (with adult supervision for younger patients) using these devices with prescribed insulin cartridges. The cost of this coverage, including administration, must be included in managed care organization premiums. This ensures patients can access these devices without additional out-of-pocket costs through their existing pharmacy benefit.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds mandatory insurance coverage for diabetes management devices, eliminating out-of-pocket costs for patients and expanding access to critical healthcare technology.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6161: Relates to reducing pharmacy benefit manager costs

This bill (S 6161) requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to charge health insurers and health plans only for actual drug costs, pharmacy dispensing fees, and a fair administrative fee - passing through all rebates, discounts, and other financial benefits directly to the health plan. It bans "spread pricing" (where PBMs keep the difference between what they pay pharmacies and charge plans) and mandates full disclosure of all income sources to the state department. PBMs must provide quarterly refunds for any excess amounts kept under the old pricing model. The bill directly affects health insurers, health plans, and PBMs operating in New York, aiming to reduce prescription drug costs for consumers through transparency and cost accountability.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBans PBM spread pricing, requiring rebates pass directly to health plans, lowering costs for insurers and patients while improving transparency in drug pricing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4604: Relates to creating a wholesale prescription drug importation program

Creates a wholesale prescription drug importation program which complies with federal standards and regulations for the purpose of generating substantial savings for consumers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a wholesale prescription drug importation program to generate consumer savings, directly improving medication affordability and access - core healthcare affordability goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6323: Determines the amount paid to a pharmacy for certain high cost drugs

This bill caps payments to pharmacies for certain high-cost drugs. It requires that pharmacies receive no more than 2.5% of a drug’s total cost (including federal benchmark pricing) plus any authorized dispensing fees, but only for drugs with a federal cost benchmark exceeding $670. The rule directly affects pharmacies dispensing these specific high-cost medications under New York’s Medicaid program. It aims to standardize reimbursement without altering existing dispensing fee structures.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareCaps Medicaid pharmacy reimbursements for high-cost drugs, limiting provider payments under healthcare program.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Prescription Drugs

Track