5892-S AMS PARL JONA 001

SSB 5892 - S AMD to S AMD (S2389.2)

By Senator Pflug

On page 2, line 9, after "peers;", strike "and"

    On page 2, line 14, after "peers", insert "; and

    (iv) For purposes of measuring variations as provided for in (a)(i), (ii) and (iii) of this subsection, (A) an endorsing practitioner must be compared only to endorsing practitioners in the same specialty, and (B) the prescription practices being measured must compare patients with the same diagnosis and severity of illness or disease. The restrictions provided for in subsection (a) of this section shall not take effect until the department has established a system for validating a relevant comparison group with each endorsing practitioner based on the endorsing practitioner's positive affirmation of such selection"

    On page 2, line 19, after "RCW 70.14.050", insert ", so long as it meets the standards of therapeutic equivalence established by the federal food and drug administration for the products in that class"

    On page 3, line 4, after "drug", insert ", so long as any charge to be paid by the patient is no greater than the charge for the preferred prescription drug in that class"

EFFECT: Ensures that measurements of variation between endorsing practitioner prescribing patterns compare physicians in the same practice specialties and take into account the diagnosis and severity of illness of the classes of patients being compared. Requires that any generic added to the preferred drug list without review by the pharmacy and therapeutics committee must meet the standards of therapeutic equivalence as established by the federal Food and Drug Administration. Ensures that patients would not be required to pay more for a therapeutic alternative over-the-counter drug if one became designated as the preferred drug.

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