§263.__Prescription Drug Program Advisory Committee

The commissioner shall appoint 11 persons to the Prescription Drug Program Advisory Committee, referred to in this chapter as the "committee," to oversee the operation of the program.__The members of the committee must represent consumers, pharmacies and hospitals, health coverage administered by the State and pharmacists.__The committee shall elect a chair and vice-chair annually.__The committee shall meet at least quarterly and may meet more often if the commissioner or 4 of the members determine a meeting should be called.__The members of the committee serve without compensation or reimbursement.__The department shall provide staff to the committee as required for the performance of its duties.__ By February 1, 2000 and annually thereafter, the committee shall report to the joint standing committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters and appropriations and financial affairs on the operation of the program and the cost savings to consumers and to any department of State Government.__The report must include any recommendations for legislation or rulemaking.

SUMMARY

This bill establishes a prescription drug purchasing consortium and the Prescription Drug Distribution Program to enable the Department of Human Services to purchase drugs at favorable prices and make them available to consumers with incomes at or below 400% of the federal nonfarm income official poverty line. The bill includes a dedicated fund into which are placed the revenues from rebates and consumer purchases. The program is overseen by an advisory committee that reports annually to the joint standing committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters and appropriations and financial affairs.