B. The members of participating plans have open access to all prescription drugs, as medically needed. The council shall design and implement a 3-tiered pharmaceutical benefit;

C. Full coverage of certain drugs is contingent upon satisfaction of clinical criteria;

D. A preferred drug list identifies clinically efficacious high-quality prescription drugs that are also cost- effective; these drugs may not require prior approval. The preferred drug list must to the extent possible be based on MaineCare's preferred drug list and must be advised by MaineCare's clinical drug utilization committee;

E. Administrative efficiencies are realized by pooled purchasing; clinically efficacious, cost-effective drugs are preferred; and rebates are negotiated on behalf of the entire group;

F. Reimbursement for prescription generic drugs are is capped at maximum allowable costs or the MaineCare bid price, whichever is lower;

G. Incentives may be implemented to reward the use of mail order, and community pharmacies will be are given the opportunity to provide medications under the same terms as mail-order pharmacies; and

H. All participating plans share in the savings realized through the pooled purchasing effort.

Sec. 2. Report. By February 1, 2006, the Pharmaceutical Cost Management Council established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, section 2031 shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters regarding its work and findings with regard to cost containment tools, including, but not limited to, academic detailing and evidence-based prescribing.