Bill > HB5149

This bill establishes the West Virginia Prescription Drug Affordability Board, a body tasked with protecting West Virginia residents and the state's healthcare system from high prescription drug costs. The Board will be composed of five members appointed by various state officials, with expertise in health care economics or clinical medicine, and will have alternate members to step in when a primary member has a conflict of interest. A separate Stakeholder Council, comprised of 26 members representing various sectors of the healthcare industry and the public, will provide input to the Board. The bill defines key terms such as "biologic," "biosimilar," "brand name drug," and "generic drug," and outlines requirements for disclosing conflicts of interest and adhering to the West Virginia Public Employees' Ethics Act. The Board is mandated to study and report on the pharmaceutical system and policy options for lowering drug prices, collect and analyze transparency data on prescription drug costs, and conduct cost reviews for drugs identified as having affordability challenges. This includes identifying drugs with high launch costs, significant price increases, or biosimilars that are not sufficiently cheaper than their brand-name counterparts. The Board will also have the authority to set upper payment limits for certain prescription drug products purchased or paid for by state and local governments, with a process for review and appeal. Funding for the Board will come from an annual fee assessed on manufacturers, pharmacy benefits managers, insurers, and wholesale distributors, deposited into a dedicated Prescription Drug Affordability Fund. The Attorney General's office will be responsible for enforcing the provisions of this subtitle.

Health and Social Services

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=5149&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill