Relative to investigating potential redundancies between the prescription drug affordability board and existing state agency programs regarding prescription drug cost data.
Impact
The bill's provisions will temporarily suspend certain statutory authorities of the PDAB for the fiscal year 2024. This suspension is focused on creating room for the investigation into the board's operations, allowing state agencies to explore whether the structure and function of the PDAB are necessary amidst existing state and federal resources. Stakeholders believe that a realignment could lead to more effective oversight and potentially more significant savings in prescription drug spending for state and local governments.
Summary
House Bill 172 aims to investigate potential redundancies between the New Hampshire Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) and existing state agency programs that address prescription drug cost data. This investigation is prompted by concerns over the effectiveness of the PDAB, which was established on a foundation similar to that of a previous Maine law but has reportedly failed to control prescription drug costs effectively. The bill proposes a collaborative review involving the Department of Administrative Services, the Insurance Department, and the Department of Health and Human Services, to identify overlaps with current programs and suggest enhancements for better management of drug costs.
Contention
Notable points of contention surrounding HB 172 include the formation of the PDAB itself, which critics argue was created without adequate legislative scrutiny. Also, there are concerns regarding the duplication of efforts and funding associated with the PDAB during a time when the state could be more judicious with its resources. The bill faces scrutiny over whether the PDAB should continue operating in its current capacity or if it can be subsumed or replaced by existing programs that have proven more effective in managing drug costs.
Carry Over
Relative to investigating potential redundancies between the prescription drug affordability board and existing state agency programs regarding prescription drug cost data.
Enacting the prescription drug cost and affordability review act to establish the prescription drug pricing board and prescription drug affordability stakeholder council to review the cost of prescription medications and establish upper payment limits for certain prescription drugs.
Prescriptions for testosterone not allowed to be transmitted or reported within the prescription drug monitoring database and removes from the records all existing information concerning prior testosterone prescriptions.
Prescriptions for testosterone not allowed to be transmitted or reported within the prescription drug monitoring database and removes from the records all existing information concerning prior testosterone prescriptions.
Increases the maximum fill for non-opioid, non-narcotic controlled substances found in schedule II, so that a sixty-day (60) supply may be dispensed at any one time.
Increases the maximum fill for non-opioid, non-narcotic controlled substances found in schedule II, so that a ninety-day (90) supply may be dispensed at any one time.