REQUESTING THE STATE AGENCY ON AGING TO DEVELOP A VOLUNTARY PROGRAM THAT WILL ALLOW FOR "BROWN BAG ASSESSMENTS" OF INDIVIDUALS' PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND NOTIFICATION OF THERAPEUTIC ALTERNATIVES AND GENERIC SUBSTITUTES FOR DRUGS AT THE POINT OF SALE.

WHEREAS, the cost of prescription drugs for many New Mexico senior citizens is prohibitively high; and

WHEREAS, senior citizens often pay the highest prices for prescription drugs since they lack access to negotiated discounts and rebates; and

WHEREAS, the prices charged for prescription drugs do not reveal previously negotiated discounts, rebates or other factors that contribute to the actual price paid by seniors who purchase drugs; and

WHEREAS, there are clear and immediate health benefits to an active partnership between a patient and his physician and pharmacist for anyone taking prescription drugs; and

WHEREAS, in addition to health benefits, potential cost savings may be achieved when this partnership is an active one; and

WHEREAS, purchasers of prescription drugs have a right to know, and to be reminded at the point of purchase, what options or alternatives may exist that are therapeutically appropriate and the price differential for these alternatives; and

WHEREAS, current law in New Mexico provides for generic substitution of prescription drugs and requires pharmacist education of patients about the purpose and side effects of prescription drugs, but does not require education about therapeutic substitutions that could be safely and effectively provided; and

WHEREAS, there are inadequate mechanisms to ensure communication among patients, prescribing providers and pharmacists; and

WHEREAS, annual review of the prescription drugs being taken by a senior citizen will ensure that antagonistic drugs are identified and that the most appropriate drug regime is being pursued and will result in overall improved health outcomes for senior citizens who participate;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state agency on aging be requested to lead a cooperative effort, to include statewide associations of medical providers and pharmacists, to develop a voluntary program that will allow for "brown bag assessments" of all prescription drugs used by individuals and notification of therapeutic alternatives and generic substitutes for drugs at the point of sale; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the program explore appropriate incentives to ensure full and active participation by pharmacists, physicians and other prescribing health care providers, including development of mechanisms to identify participants in this program; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state agency on aging report any legislative recommendations to the interim legislative health and human services committee at its September 2002 meeting; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be sent to the state agency on aging, the interim legislative health and human services committee and to all appropriate parties.