AB876: Bill Text

LRB-0283/3

DAK:jld:jf

2003 - 2004 LEGISLATURE

2003 Assembly BILL 876

February 23, 2004 - Introduced by Representatives Krusick, Berceau, Black, Kreibich, Krug, J. Lehman, M. Lehman, Molepske, Pope-Roberts, Shilling, Staskunas, Van Akkeren, Wasserman and Zepnick, cosponsored by Senators Robson, Wirch, Carpenter, Lassa and Coggs. Referred to Committee on Health.

AB876,1,2 An Act to create 46.03 (44) of the statutes; relating to: creating the Pharmacy Outreach Program.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill creates, in the Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS), the Pharmacy Outreach Program to provide patients with information about their eligibility for pharmaceutical manufacturer patient assistance programs, assist health care providers in enrolling their patients in these programs, provide health care providers with opportunities to work with pharmaceutical manufacturer representatives to improve the programs, and provide consultation with health care providers about the Pharmacy Outreach Program. DHFS may, under the bill, negotiate with pharmaceutical manufacturers to develop a simplified system to assist state residents in obtaining access to the pharmaceutical manufacturer patient assistance programs. Before March 1 of each year, DHFS must submit a report to the legislature and to the governor on the number of state residents who have benefited from pharmaceutical manufacturer patient assistance programs, the value of benefits provided by the programs, and other information that DHFS determines is relevant.

For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB876, s. 1 Section 1. 46.03 (44) of the statutes is created to read:

AB876,2,3 46.03 (44) Pharmacy Outreach Program. (a) In this subsection, "prescription drug" has the meaning given in s. 450.01 (20).

AB876,2,10 (b) Within the limits of available funding, the department shall implement the Pharmacy Outreach Program to develop systems to facilitate access to pharmaceutical manufacturer patient assistance programs. The department shall coordinate the outreach program with the program of prescription drug assistance for elderly persons under s. 49.688 and shall, in developing the outreach program, consult advocacy groups for the elderly. The department may contract with one or more public or private organizations to administer the outreach program.

AB876,2,11 (c) A program under par. (b) may do any of the following:

AB876,2,12 1. Provide consultation with health care providers about the outreach program.

AB876,2,14 2. Provide patients with information about their eligibility for pharmaceutical manufacturer patient assistance programs.

AB876,2,16 3. Assist health care providers in enrolling their patients in a pharmaceutical manufacturer patient assistance program under subd. 2.

AB876,2,19 4. Provide health care providers with opportunities to work with representatives of pharmaceutical manufacturers to improve pharmaceutical manufacturer patient assistance programs under subd. 2.

AB876,2,24 (d) The department may negotiate with pharmaceutical manufacturers to develop a simplified system to assist residents of this state in obtaining access to pharmaceutical manufacturer patient assistance programs. The system may include a simple, single application process and a voucher system for dispensing prescription drugs through local pharmacies.

AB876,3,3 (e) The department shall maintain a toll-free telephone number to provide information, including eligibility requirements, concerning pharmaceutical manufacturer patient assistance programs.

AB876,3,12 (f) Before March 1 annually, the department shall submit a report to the chief clerk of each house of the legislature for distribution to the appropriate standing committees under s. 13.172 (3), and to the governor, on the number of residents of this state who have benefited from pharmaceutical manufacturer patient assistance programs in the previous calendar year, the value of benefits provided by those programs, and other information about those programs that the department determines is relevant. In preparing the report, the department shall consult with pharmaceutical manufacturers, pharmacists, and consumers of prescription drugs, including consumers aged 65 or older.

AB876,3,13 (End)