This bill aims to amend the Code of West Virginia by introducing a new article focused on prescription drug pricing for older West Virginians. It defines key terms such as "older individual," "lowest national price," and "personal representative." The bill mandates that pharmacies in West Virginia must charge senior citizens, defined as individuals aged 60 and older, no more than the lowest national price for prescription drugs. Additionally, it allows pharmacists to verify the age and residency of the senior citizen or their personal representative through identification.

The legislation also establishes enforcement mechanisms, stating that violations of this pricing requirement are considered unfair or deceptive acts. It grants the Attorney General the authority to enforce these provisions and allows seniors who are charged more than the lowest price to seek legal recourse in circuit court, potentially recovering treble damages or a minimum of $500, along with attorney fees. The bill emphasizes the protection of older West Virginians from inflated prescription drug prices, ensuring they have access to medications at the lowest available rates.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 46A-9-1, 46A-9-2, 46A-9-3