SB 5471-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

Requires the administrator of the state health care authority to, directly or by contract, adopt policies necessary for establishment of a prescription drug purchasing consortium. The consortium's purchasing activities shall be based upon the evidence-based prescription drug program established under RCW 70.14.050.

Provides that state purchased health care programs shall purchase prescription drugs through the consortium for those prescription drugs that are purchased directly by the state and those that are purchased through reimbursement of pharmacies, unless exempted under this act.

Directs the administrator to explore joint purchasing opportunities with other states.

Provides that participation in the purchasing consortium shall be offered as an option beginning January 1, 2006.

Creates the prescription drug consortium advisory committee within the authority. The function of the prescription drug advisory committee is to advise the administrator of the state health care authority on the implementation of the prescription drug purchasing consortium.

Provides that, by December 1, 2008, the joint legislative audit and review committee shall conduct a performance audit on the operation of the consortium created in this act. The audit shall review the operations and outcomes associated with the implementation of this consortium and identify the net savings, if any, to the members of the consortium, the percentage of targeted populations participating, and changes in the health outcomes of participants.