BILL REQ. #:  S-3672.1 

Read first time 01/12/10.   Referred to Committee on Health & Long-Term Care.

     AN ACT Relating to establishing the prescriber education program; adding new sections to chapter 18.71 RCW; creating a new section; and providing an effective date.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   It is the intent of the legislature to:
     (1) Improve public health and safety;
     (2) Control the ever-increasing costs of health care;
     (3) Require that prescribing decisions by medical professionals are based on the latest scientific and clinical data of the quality and effectiveness of prescription medications and medical devices; and
     (4) Improve health outcomes and reduce unnecessary costs.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 18.71 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The commission shall develop an evidence-based prescriber education program, in cooperation with the school of medicine at the University of Washington and the state health care authority, known as the prescriber education program. In designing the program, the commission shall consult with appropriate health care professionals or organizations knowledgeable about the practice of medicine and continuing medical education.
     (2) The prescriber education program must provide health care professionals who are prescribers with timely, balanced, unbiased, evidence-based information and education about the comparative efficacy, quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness of commonly used prescribed products.
     (3) The commission may seek funding to establish and maintain the prescriber education program through public or private grants or gifts but may not seek or accept funding from any pharmaceutical-related manufacturer, company, or representative.
     (4) The commission and the department of health may adopt rules necessary to implement this section.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 18.71 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The prescriber education account is established in the state treasury.
     (2) The following moneys shall be deposited in the prescriber education account:
     (a) Money appropriated or transferred to the account by the legislature;
     (b) Money obtained through public or private grants or gifts; and
     (c) At least ten percent of any state share of an award or settlement made in favor of the state from any lawsuit involving the state of Washington and any pharmaceutical company.
     (3) Moneys in the account may be used to establish, administer, and maintain the prescriber education program established in section 2 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   This act takes effect July 1, 2010.