Bill > H4497

This bill establishes new regulations for specialty pharmacies in Massachusetts, requiring them to obtain a specific license from the state board of pharmacy to prescribe, ship, mail, sell, or dispense specialty medications. The bill mandates that each specialty pharmacy designate a licensed pharmacist in charge who must annually report key information about the pharmacy's management, including the location and names of principal managers, and provide certification of the pharmacy's current unrestricted license. The pharmacist in charge must also maintain detailed records of all drugs dispensed to patients in the state and be prepared to provide this information to the board upon request. Additionally, the bill prevents out-of-state pharmacies from operating in Massachusetts without obtaining the required specialty license. Importantly, the bill also prohibits health insurance carriers from blocking licensed pharmacies from dispensing specialty drugs, as long as the pharmacy can meet the special handling, administration, and monitoring requirements for these medications. The carrier must allow any network pharmacy to provide specialty drugs if they agree to the same reimbursement terms, which aims to increase patient access to these often complex and expensive medications.

Health and Social Services

Joint Committee on Financial Services (Joint)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4497