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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Pharmacy and prescription drugs

Dec 26, 2025 - Highlights proposed legislation in Ohio that would allow pharmacists to prescribe and dispense certain medications. Notes the potential impact on rural residents with more barriers in accessing healthcare.
Source: The Center Square
Dec 23, 2025 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on a proposed rule implementing the Global Benchmark for Efficient Drug Pricing Model ("GLOBE Model"), a new Medicare payment model under section 1115A of the Social Security Act. The GLOBE Model would test whether a payment model that uses an alternative method for calculating Part B inflation rebate amounts for certain separately payable Part B drugs and biological products reduces costs for Medicare fee-for service (FFS) beneficiaries and the Medicare program while preserving quality of care. Comments are due by February 23, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 23, 2025 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on a proposed rule implementing the Guarding U.S. Medicare Against Rising Drug Costs (GUARD) Model to test a new Medicare payment model under section 1115A of the Social Security Act. The model proposes a test of an alternative payment method for calculating inflation rebates for certain Part D drugs and biological products. The proposed GUARD Model would test whether changing the calculation of the Part D inflation rebate would reduce costs for the Medicare program while preserving or enhancing quality of care for Part D enrollees. Comments are due by February 23, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 22, 2025 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) CMS Plan Benefit Package (PBP) and Formulary CY 2027; and 2) Medicare Part C and Part D Program Audit and Industry-Wide Part C Timeliness Monitoring Project (TMP) Protocols. Comments are due by February 20, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 22, 2025 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) External Quality Review (EQR) of Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Managed Care, EQR Protocols, and Supporting Regulations; and 2) Medicaid Drug Program. Comments are due by February 20, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 17, 2025 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is seeking comments on an information collection titled "Requirement for Electronic Prescribing for Controlled Substances (EPCS) for a Covered Part D Drug Under a Prescription Drug Plan or an MA-PD Plan." The EPCS exception requires a waiver if a prescriber is unable to conduct EPCS due to circumstances outside the prescribers control. Comments are due January 16, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 16, 2025 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Model Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Individual Enrollment Request Form; and 2) Annual Notice of Change and Evidence of Coverage for Applicable Integrated Plans in States that Require Integrated Materials. Comments are due by January 15, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 8, 2025 - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has revoked an Emergency Use Authorization issued to Genentech, Inc. (Genentech) for Actemra (tocilizumab). The revocation is effective August 8, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 1, 2025 - Highlights the work of rural pharmacists around New Mexico and their paths to rural practice. Discusses initiatives to address primary care physician shortages by increasing a pharmacist's scope of practice, efforts to recruit rural students to the pharmacy field, and networking across the state.
Source: UNM Health Sciences News
Nov 28, 2025 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Medicaid Program; Eligibility Changes under the Affordable Care Act of 2010 and 2) Solicitation for Applications for Medicare Prescription Drug Plan 2027 Contracts. Comments are due by December 29, 2025.
Source: Federal Register