BILL REQ. #:  S-1346.1 

Read first time 02/09/2005.   Referred to Committee on Health & Long-Term Care.

     AN ACT Relating to distribution of unused prescription drugs to low-income persons; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The joint legislative audit and review committee shall study and make recommendations to the legislature on establishing a cost-effective program that would distribute unused prescription drugs left over in licensed long-term care facilities to low-income needy people and other Washington residents who cannot afford their expensive medications. The report shall be provided to the appropriate committees in the house and senate by December 1, 2006.
     The study shall determine the quantity and type of unused prescription drugs available in a typical year, methods to collect the drugs, and procedures to distribute the drugs. This analysis shall consider any liability issues associated with donation of unused prescription drugs or provision of those drugs to patients, as well as any costs associated with the donation, collection, and distribution of unused prescription drugs. The analysis shall also consider the impacts, if any, of the implementation of the medicare part D prescription drug benefit on the collection of unused prescription drugs from licensed long-term care facilities. The study shall also examine criteria to be used in determining eligibility for individuals to receive prescription drugs through this program.