Mississippi sets aside $4.4 million for its pharmacy board

The law sets aside up to $4,398,210 in special funds for the Mississippi State Board of Pharmacy’s expenses. The budget covers the board’s expenses, including substance abuse and mental health services for people it licenses. The money comes from funds credited to the board in the State Treasury. The $118,067 for license holders’ services is included in the total budget. The law takes effect July 1, 2026. The budget covers July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

The board must keep spending on salaries, wages, and employee benefits within the budget limit unless an approved increase applies. The budget authorizes 21 permanent positions and no time-limited positions. Payroll money cannot be moved to other spending categories. The $132,158 for vacancies must fill authorized jobs left empty at the end of the 2026 budget year. That amount may be adjusted for jobs filled after February 1, 2026, through that year’s end. It cannot fund pay increases for current employees. Increasing the payroll limit or adding positions requires written approval from the Department of Finance and Administration and proof of new or additional funds. Staffing decisions cannot require a higher payroll budget for 2028 unless the Legislature adds programs or positions to the 2027 budget. If the board exceeds these limits, the State Personnel Board must stop processing salary actions, except essential new hires. The payroll budget covers July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, and also limits staffing decisions that affect the following year’s payroll needs.

The board may increase its budget for pharmacy payment oversight and accept money from other state agencies for prescription monitoring. These permissions cover the Mississippi State Board of Pharmacy’s oversight of pharmacy payment rules and its Prescription Monitoring Program. The oversight increase cannot exceed $500,000 and must support compliance checks and oversight allowed by the Pharmacy Benefit Prompt Pay Act. Money accepted from other state agencies must cover expenses of the Prescription Monitoring Program. The oversight budget increase is allowed during the fiscal year running July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.