AN ACT CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ACADEMIC DETAILING PROGRAM.

This bill requires the University of Connecticut Health Center (UCHC), in consultation with the Yale School of Medicine, to develop, implement, and promote an evidence-based outreach and education program concerning the therapeutic and cost-effective use of prescription drugs. This type of program, known as “academic detailing,” is directed at licensed physicians, pharmacists, and other health care professionals authorized to prescribe and dispense prescription drugs.

The bill requires the UCHC to consider whether the program can be developed in coordination with, or as part of, the Connecticut Area Health Education Program, which it administers.

The bill specifies that physician participation in the academic detailing program qualifies for continuing education credit and requires the UCHC to develop the program so that it allows participating physicians to apply hours spent in the program towards their continuing education requirements.

It requires the UCHC to seek federal funds to administer the program. The UCHC may also seek funding from nongovernmental health access foundations. It is not required to develop, implement, and promote the program if federal, state, and private funds in the aggregate are insufficient to pay for initial and ongoing program expenses.

*Senate Amendment “A” specifies that the UCHC is not required to develop and operate the program if there is insufficient funding, and it eliminates a requirement that the UCHC collaborate with the Department of Social Services in seeking federal Medicaid reimbursements.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2011 for program development; October 1, 2011 for the provision that recognizes academic detailing in continuing education.

1. arrange for licensed physicians, pharmacists, and nurses to personally conduct educational visits with prescribing practitioners, using evidence-based materials, methods from behavioral science and educational theory, and when appropriate, pharmaceutical industry data and outreach techniques;

2. inform prescribing practitioners about drug marketing designed to prevent competition to brand name drugs from generics or other evidence-based treatment options; and

3. provide outreach and education to physicians and other practitioners participating in Medicaid, HUSKY A and B, State Administered General Assistance, Charter Oak Health Plan, ConnPACE, the state employees health insurance plan, and Department of Correction inmate health services.

The bill requires the UCHC, to the extent feasible, to use or incorporate in the program other independent educational resources or models proven effective in providing high quality, evidence-based, cost-effective information to prescribing practitioners on the effectiveness and safety of prescription drugs. These include the (1) Pennsylvania PACE Independent Drug Information Service, (2) Vermont Academic Detailing Program, and (3) the Oregon Drug Effectiveness Review Project.

Yea

Nay

(03/20/2009)

Yea

Nay

(04/29/2009)