Bill > SB61

This bill modifies the current law regarding prescriptions for state prisoners by allowing the Department of Corrections more flexibility in pharmaceutical purchasing and eliminating some existing notification requirements. Specifically, the bill permits the department to enter into direct purchasing agreements with drug manufacturers that could result in cost savings, removes the previous requirement that practitioners must handwrite notifications about prescription substitutions, and introduces a new condition that pharmacists can only substitute generic drugs if the alternative product is less expensive. The bill maintains the existing provision that allows the commissioner of corrections to waive certain prescription requirements if necessary to ensure pharmaceutical service availability or prevent serious economic hardship. Additionally, the bill removes previous references to Medicaid fee-for-service clients and introduces language that enables the department to create collaborative purchasing structures aimed at reducing prescription costs. The changes are designed to provide the Department of Corrections with more economic flexibility in managing prescription medications for state prisoners, with an anticipated potential for reducing state expenditures through more direct and efficient drug procurement methods.

Government Affairs

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_status.aspx?lsr=979&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=SB61