In a controversial debate, the New Hampshire House of Representatives approved a bill to make ivermectin available in pharmacies across the state. This bill, HB 1022, would allow pharmacists to prescribe and dispense ivermectin for COVID-19 patients — even though ivermectin was, at the time of the hearing, not approved by the FDA. Proponents of the bill advocated for pharmaceutical freedom, whereas opponents cited the dangers of using ivermectin to treat COVID-19. HB 1022 now heads to the state Senate for final consideration.

On January 28, 2022, the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit ruled that the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) can access New Hampshire’s prescription drug database with fewer restrictions. Previously, the DEA had to secure a search warrant to access drug databases, as a means of protecting patient privacy. However, this case — called the U.S. Department of Justice v. Jonas, 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 19-1243 — determined that patients have no reasonable expectation that their records will remain private. Now, the DEA only has to obtain an administrative subpoena (rather than a warrant) to search the database. The decision aims to “investigate and prosecute those who are fueling the opioid crisis by unlawfully diverting prescription drugs” but raises concerns about patient privacy.

The state of New Hampshire is following suit in the settlements being arranged with Centene Corp. regarding its pharmacy benefit services. In this agreement, Centene will pay the state $21.148 million due to the concerns and findings regarding their pharmacy benefit practices. The investigation found inaccurate reporting and a lack of transparency related to the reporting of costs in the Medicaid program, including the pricing of prescription drugs, that resulted in a negative financial impact to the state of New Hampshire. This settlement aims to help recover the impact on the State and its taxpayers.

New Hampshire has joined with nearly 40 other states to help control the opioid epidemic by requiring electronic prescriptions for controlled drugs - with some exceptions. Pharmacists are not required to prove whether a requested exception is valid, and there not any penalties yet for violating the new law. HB143 aims to make it more difficult for controlled drug prescriptions to be tampered with - since it is easier to modify a written prescription than an electronic one.

HB 479, signed into law by Governor Sununu, includes pharmacists as providers under Medicaid and also authorizes pharmacists to provide nicotine cessation therapy pursuant to a standing order. Additionally, this law also limits pharmacy benefit managers' (PBMs) actions by prohibiting the requirement of additional accreditation of healthcare providers.

In New Hampshire, after HB 572 has now been signed into law, licensed pharmacy technicians are able to administer vaccines. This helps expand a pharmacy's ability to immunize their communities quickly and efficiently.

SB 97 has been signed into law by New Hampshire state legislature and signed by the governor. It pertains to in-network retail pharmacies and protects their authority to offer home prescription delivery services - freeing them from any potential pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) interference.

SB 57 was signed into law by Governor Sununu on June 11, 2021, expanding the opportunities for remote work being done in a pharmacy. Pharmacy technicians and pharmacy interns are now allowed to remotely perform non-dispensing related tasks. This helps take the burden off the hectic schedule of pharmacies trying to run their business while also vaccinating against COVID-19.