HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 94-4715, by Representatives Zellinsky, Heavey, Mielke, Dyer, Sommers and Dellwo

     WHEREAS, Practices and policies of the pharmaceutical industry are receiving national attention; and

     WHEREAS, Pharmaceutical drug pricing is one practice that is receiving much of the attention focused on this industry; and

     WHEREAS, Many Washington state consumers pay a higher price for pharmaceutical drugs due to large nonvolume-based discounts provided only to certain segments of the health care industry; and

     WHEREAS, Access to pharmaceutical drugs at reasonable cost to the consumer is important for the health and welfare of Washington citizens;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the House of Representatives of the state of Washington, That an Interim House Committee on Prescription Drugs be established to review the health, economic, and public policy implications of the practices of the pharmaceutical drug industry, particularly regarding pricing issues; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the committee consist of eight members, two members each from the House of Representatives Committees on Appropriations, Commerce and Labor, Financial Institutions and Insurance, and Health Care, selected by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, with four members being from each caucus; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the chair of the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance be appointed as one of the two members from that committee, and be designated chair of the Interim House Committee on Prescription Drugs; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the committee seek participation and testimony from the public and a broad range of special interest groups; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the committee report its findings and recommendations to the legislature at the regular session held in 1995.