A new state law allows Maine pharmacists to issue prescriptions for contraceptives. Under the law, pharmacists who have completed a brief training will be able to issue prescriptions to patients who complete a self assessment. Contraceptives will still require prescriptions, but allowing pharmacists to fill them will increase access because patients won't have to wait for an appointment with their doctor. The law, which had bipartisan cosponsors, directs pharmacists to refer patients to their doctors after issuing a prescription for contraceptives. It goes into effect 90 days after the legislature adjourns. Maine joins more than 20 states with similar legislation.

Walgreens has agreed to pay the state of Maine more than $68,000 in fines for violating state laws regarding staffing and operating hours, according to documents obtained by CBS13. The documents show the Maine Board of Pharmacy has fined Walgreens 15 times this year. Reasons included not having a pharmacist-in-charge and operating for less than 40 hours per week. For their part, Walgreens has continually cited workforce shortage challenges that are affecting many industries, particularly health care.

Maine has passed LD 675, An Act To Increase Prescription Drug Pricing Transparency. This Act requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and other drug supply chain entities to disclose certain drug pricing information to the state in order to increase pricing transparency and regulation.

LD 1450 has been enacted into law without action from the Governor. This Act To Provide Fairness in Communications from Pharmacy Benefits Managers prohibits a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) from using untrue, deceptive, or misleading advertising practices in order to trick or misguide patients or other entities.

Maine Governor Janet Mills has enacted LD 603, a new law that amends the Maine Pharmacy Act to officially recognize pharmacists as providers of health care services. The situation during the pandemic has highlighted what was already true - that pharmacists are significantly valuable to patient health beyond dispensing. This new law will hopefully lead to more opportunities for pharmacists to expand their scope of practice.