SB 5470-S.E - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

Finds that as consumers' prescription drug costs continue to rise, people across the state of Washington are seeking opportunities to purchase lower cost prescription drugs from Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and other countries for their personal use. The state has a strong interest in promoting the safe use of prescription drugs by consumers in Washington state. To address this interest, the legislature intends to seek authorization from the federal government to license Canadian, United Kingdom, Irish, and other nondomestic prescription drug wholesalers, thereby providing licensed retail pharmacies the opportunity to purchase prescription drugs from approved wholesalers and pass those savings on to consumers, and providing consumers the opportunity to purchase prescription drugs from a trusted community pharmacist who is aware of all of their prescription drug needs.

Requires that, by September 1, 2005, the board shall, in consultation with the department and the health care authority, submit a waiver request to the federal food and drug administration that will authorize the state of Washington to license Canadian, United Kingdom, Irish, and other nondomestic prescription drug wholesalers under RCW 18.64.046, thereby providing retail pharmacies licensed in Washington state the opportunity to purchase prescription drugs from approved wholesalers and pass those savings on to consumers.

Provides that, by December 1, 2005, the board, in consultation with the department and the health care authority, shall submit a detailed implementation plan to the governor and appropriate committees of the legislature that details the mechanisms that the board will use to implement each component of the waiver under this act.