OLR Bill Analysis

sSB 1048

AN ACT CONCERNING BULK PURCHASING OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

SUMMARY:

This bill requires the commissioners of the departments of social services (DSS) and administrative services (DAS) and the comptroller, in consultation with the Department of Public Health (DPH), to develop a plan concerning the bulk purchasing of pharmaceuticals. Specifically, the plan must implement and maintain a prescription drug purchasing program and procedures to aggregate or negotiate pharmaceutical purchases for HUSKY Part B, State Administered General Assistance, Charter Oak Plan and ConnPACE recipients, Department of Correction inmates; and people eligible for insurance under the state employees and municipal employee health insurance plans.

The plan must also have the state join an existing multistate Medicaid pharmaceutical purchasing pool. It must determine whether it is feasible to subject some or all of the programs listed above to the preferred drug lists adopted by DSS for its various programs.

The bill requires DSS to submit the plan to the Public Health, Human Services, and Appropriations committees by December 31, 2009. The plan must include (1) an implementation timetable, (2) anticipated costs or savings, (3) a timetable for achieving any savings, and (4) legislative recommendations.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2009

COMMITTEE ACTION

Public Health Committee

Joint Favorable Substitute