This bill allows the Department of Corrections to enter into purchasing agreements with drug manufacturers if such agreements are cost-effective for the state. It introduces new provisions that require pharmacists to only select equivalent drug products if their price is lower than that of the prescribed drug. Additionally, the bill permits the Department to establish collaborative purchasing structures aimed at achieving cost savings on therapeutic agents.

The bill also removes the previous requirement that notifications from prescribing practitioners be written in their own handwriting, streamlining the process for pharmacists. The overall intent of the legislation is to reduce state expenditures by enabling the Department of Corrections to negotiate directly with drug manufacturers, potentially leading to lower costs and more predictable budgeting for pharmaceutical services provided to state prisoners. The fiscal impact of these changes is indeterminable, but the Department anticipates a decrease in expenditures as a result of these new purchasing agreements.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 623-C:2