BILL REQ. #:  S-0210.2 

Read first time 01/23/2003.   Referred to Committee on Health & Long-Term Care.

     AN ACT Relating to the establishment of a pharmacy connection program; and adding a new section to chapter 74.09 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 74.09 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The department shall establish and advertise a pharmacy connection program through which health care providers and members of the public can obtain information about manufacturer-sponsored prescription drug assistance programs. The department shall ensure that the program has staff available who can assist persons in procuring free or discounted medications from manufacturer-sponsored prescription drug assistance programs by:
     (a) Determining whether an assistance program is offered for the needed drug or drugs;
     (b) Evaluating the likelihood of a person obtaining drugs from an assistance program under the guidelines formulated;
     (c) Assisting persons with the application to and enrollment in an assistance program;
     (d) Coordinating and assisting physicians and others authorized to prescribe medications with communications, including applications, made on behalf of a person to a participating manufacturer for the purpose of obtaining approval of the person in an assistance program; and
     (e) Working with participating manufacturers to simplify the system whereby eligible persons access drug assistance programs, including development of a single application form and uniform enrollment process.
     (2) Implementation of the program shall initially target senior citizens and shall include a toll-free telephone number, available during regular business hours, which may be used to obtain information.
     (3) The department may apply for and accept grants or gifts and may enter into contracts with other state agencies or private organizations to assist with the implementation of this program including, but not limited to, contracts, gifts, or grants from pharmaceutical manufacturers to assist with the direct costs of the program.
     (4) The department shall notify pharmaceutical companies doing business in Washington of the pharmacy connection program. Any pharmaceutical company that does business in this state and that offers a pharmaceutical assistance program shall notify the department of the existence of the program, the drugs covered by the program, and all information necessary to apply for assistance under the program.
     (5) For purposes of this section, "manufacturer-sponsored prescription drug assistance program" means a program offered by a pharmaceutical company through which the company provides a drug or drugs to eligible persons at no charge or at a reduced cost. The term does not include the provision of a drug as part of a clinical trial.