The bill HB 645-FN amends the responsibilities and reporting requirements of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board by introducing a new definition for "data steward," which refers to individuals or entities responsible for data collection and management. It mandates that the board's reports include details about data sources, limitations, and recommendations for enhancing report value through additional data. The bill encourages collaboration with state agencies via memorandums of understanding (MOUs) to streamline data collection and avoid redundancy. It also grants the board the authority to collect data from third parties, such as drug manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers, and establishes a compliance enforcement mechanism for data collection, imposing financial penalties for non-compliance.

Additionally, the bill modifies existing rules regarding drug price transparency and data handling, replacing the previous requirement for the board to develop its own policies with a mandate to follow state agency procedures. It emphasizes the importance of ensuring access to medically necessary prescribed pharmaceutical products and tasks the board with annual reporting on its recommendations and spending targets. While the bill does not delete any existing legal language, it introduces significant new provisions related to data collection, compliance enforcement, and the management of prescription drug affordability, with anticipated revenue from noncompliance fees and potential costs for additional personnel to manage the increased workload.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 126-BB:1, 126-BB:5, 126-BB:6, 126-BB:7
HB645 text: 126-BB:1, 126-BB:5, 126-BB:6, 126-BB:7