Bill > S1732

Introduced Session

This bill permits the import of prescription drugs from Canada. Under the bill, the Commissioner of Health (commissioner), in consultation with interested stakeholders and appropriate federal officials, is to establish a wholesale prescription drug importation program (program) that complies with applicable federal requirements. The program is to: (1) designate one or more entities that are wholesale distributors or that contract with a wholesale distributor in order to seek federal certification and approval to import safe prescription drugs and provide significant prescription drug cost savings to State consumers; (2) use Canadian prescription drug suppliers regulated under the laws of Canada, one or more Canadian provinces, or both; (3) ensure that only prescription drugs meeting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's requirements concerning prescription drugs imported from Canada, including safety and effectiveness; and (4) import only those prescription drugs expected to generate substantial savings for State consumers. Any entity designated pursuant to the bill's provisions is to: (1) become a wholesale distributor or enter into a contract with a wholesale distributor; (2) contract with one or more licensed and regulated Canadian suppliers; (3) develop a registration process for health benefits plans, pharmacies, and prescription drug-administering health care providers who are willing to participate in the wholesale prescription drug importation program; (4) create a publicly available source for listing the prices of imported prescription drug products that shall be made available to all participating entities and consumers; (5) create an outreach and marketing plan to generate program awareness; (6) create and staff a telephone hotline to answer questions and address the needs of consumers, employers, health benefits plans, pharmacies, health care providers, and other affected sectors; (7) establish a biennial audit to be performed by a third-party that is not the department or an affiliate of any designated entity; and (8) conduct any other activities that the commissioner determines to be important for successful implementation of the program.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Joe Lagana (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (on 02/13/2020)