45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2002
REQUESTING THE STATE AGENCY ON AGING TO WORK WITH PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURERS TO DEVELOP A SIMPLE UNIFORM APPLICATION FOR PARTICIPATION IN FREE DRUG PROGRAMS BY LOW-INCOME PERSONS AND TO IMPLEMENT A USER PILOT PROGRAM IN NEW MEXICO.
WHEREAS, many pharmaceutical manufacturing companies voluntarily operate patient assistance programs that provide free prescription drugs to low-income persons who lack prescription drug coverage; and
WHEREAS, these programs offer a wide range of drugs to patients who qualify; and
WHEREAS, applying for and receiving assistance generally entails a number of procedures that vary among the programs; and
WHEREAS, these assistance programs generally necessitate health care providers' involvement to complete application paperwork; and
WHEREAS, using these programs can be cumbersome and difficult for the provider due to the complexity of the applications and often consume valuable staff time; and
WHEREAS, the application forms that must be completed differ significantly by manufacturer, thus further complicating the process of application for both patients and providers; and
WHEREAS, the process of applying for patient assistance programs may be so confusing for patients that they are unable to avail themselves of the benefits of the programs;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state agency on aging work with pharmaceutical manufacturing companies to develop a simple, uniform application for participation in free drug programs for low-income populations; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state agency on aging work with the statewide medical association, the New Mexico board of medical examiners and various senior citizen groups to implement a user pilot program to help low-income seniors obtain free prescription drugs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state agency on aging report its progress on the project to the interim legislative health and human services committee at its October 2002 meeting; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be sent to the legislative health and human services committee, the state agency on aging, the New Mexico board of medical examiners and other appropriate organizations.