NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.



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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T





SPONSOR: Heaton DATE TYPED: 01/28/01 HB 301
SHORT TITLE: Prescription Drug Fair Pricing Act SB
ANALYST: Wilson


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY01 FY02 FY01 FY02
NFI NFI



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Relates to Senate Bill 140, Senate Bill 142, Senate Bill 143 and Senate Bill 144;

Duplicates Senate Bill 141.



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



Health Policy Commission

Board of Nursing



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



House Bill 301 requires fair pricing and prohibits discrimination in drug pricing. A manufacturer or seller that offers prescription drugs in a transaction covered by this bill shall, during the same or substantially the same time period, offer the same terms and conditions for the drugs to any other purchaser. HB 301 covers transactions in which a manufacturer sells to a purchaser through a contractual agreement, purchase prices for similar volume purchases, rebates, free merchandise and samples. HB 301 does not prohibit a seller from offering or providing discounts as long as the discount is available to all purchasers on equal terms.



The following drug purchasers are exempted from the provisions of this bill:





outpatient use;





health insurance policy or an employee benefit plan.





FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



HB 301 has no direct fiscal impact on State Agencies other than a possible increased caseload for the Attorney General and the Courts.





DUPLICATRES/RELATIONSHIP



Duplicates Senate Bill 141.



Relates to Senate Bill 140, Senate Bill 142, Senate Bill 143 and Senate Bill 144.



POSSIBLE QUESTIONS



Will HB 301 have a negative effect on the managed health care organizations ability to control drug costs?



DW/sb:prr