SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6474

As of February 2, 2004

Title: An act relating to drug purchasing cost controls.

Brief Description: Exempting certain prescription drugs from the provisions of RCW 70.14.050.

Sponsors: Senators Brandland, Prentice and Pflug.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 2/3/04.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Staff: Jonathan Seib (786-7427)

Background: Legislation passed in 2003 authorized state agencies to establish an evidence-based prescription drug program using an independent pharmacy and therapeutics committee. The program may include a preferred drug list, to which agencies must provide reasonable exceptions. Agencies must also adopt rules governing practitioner endorsement and use of any such list.

If a preferred drug has been identified for any state health care program, a pharmacist filling a prescription from a prescriber who has endorsed the drug list is generally required to substitute a preferred drug for a non-preferred drug. However, if the prescriber indicates "dispense as written" or the prescription is for a refill of certain types of drugs, including antipsychotics or antidepressants, the pharmacist must dispense the prescribed nonpreferred drug and does not need additional authorization to do so. The pharmacist must notify the prescriber when a substitution is made, and assumes no liability for the substitution

Summary of Bill: Any list developed as part of a state agency evidence-based prescription drug program must exclude drugs to treat mental illness.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.