PRINTER'S NO. 3464
No. 2633 Session of 1992
INTRODUCED BY TANGRETTI, TRICH, KUKOVICH, STEIGHNER, DeWEESE,
CAPPABIANCA, PISTELLA, TRELLO, STUBAN, DALEY, STISH, ADOLPH,
STETLER, FAJT, STEELMAN AND FREEMAN, MAY 4, 1992
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND WELFARE, MAY 4, 1992
AN ACT
1 Establishing within the Department of Health a commission for
2 the review of drug policy; imposing upon the commission
3 certain powers and duties; and making an appropriation.
4 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
5 hereby enacts as follows:
6 Section 1. Short title.
7 This act shall be known and may be cited as the Prescription
8 Drug Policy Review Commission Act.
9 Section 2. Definitions.
10 The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
11 have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
12 context clearly indicates otherwise:
13 "Commission." The Prescription Drug Policy Review Commission
14 established in section 3.
15 "Department." The Department of Health of the Commonwealth.
16 Section 3. Commission.
17 (a) Establishment.--There is hereby established within the
18 department an advisory commission to be know as the Prescription
1 Drug Policy Review Commission.
2 (b) Members.--The commission shall be composed of the
3 following eleven members:
4 (1) The Secretary of Aging or his designee.
5 (2) The Secretary of Health or his designee.
6 (3) The Secretary of Public Welfare or his designee.
7 (4) A representative of the Pennsylvania Pharmaceutical
8 Association.
9 (5) A representative of the Pennsylvania Medical
10 Society.
11 (6) A representative of the Pennsylvania Association of
12 Retired Persons.
13 (7) One member appointed by the Governor.
14 (8) One member appointed by the President pro tempore of
15 the Senate.
16 (9) One member appointed by the Minority Leader of the
17 Senate.
18 (10) One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of
19 Representatives.
20 (11) One member appointed by the Minority Leader of the
21 House of Representatives.
22 (c) Appointees.--Members who are appointed under subsection
23 (b)(7) through (11), shall each be recognized experts in the
24 fields of health care economics and quality assurance, medicine,
25 pharmacology, pharmacy or prescription drug reimbursement and
26 shall serve a term of two years.
27 (d) Chairman.--Annually, at its first meeting, the
28 commission shall select a chairman from among its members.
29 (e) Vacancies.--Vacancies shall be filled by the original
30 appointing authority for the remainder of the unexpired term.
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1 (f) Meetings.--The commission shall meet a minimum of four
2 times a year.
3 (g) Expenses.--Members shall receive no compensation but
4 shall be entitled to reimbursement for all necessary and
5 reasonable expenses.
6 Section 4. Powers and duties.
7 The commission shall have the following powers and duties to:
8 (1) Note trends and changes in prices for prescription
9 and nonprescription drugs in this Commonwealth and the
10 nation.
11 (2) Note the availability and affordability of
12 prescription drugs for various population groups in this
13 Commonwealth and the nation.
14 (3) Examine the accessibility and affordability of
15 public and private insurance programs for prescription drugs.
16 (4) Outline options which other states have explored to
17 contain the cost of pharmaceuticals for its residents.
18 (5) Outline options this Commonwealth should consider to
19 contain pharmaceutical costs for its residents.
20 (6) Note the effect of any Federal legislation passed
21 and how it would impact the cost of pharmaceuticals and the
22 pharmaceutical industry.
23 Section 5. Annual report.
24 The commission shall annually submit a report to the Governor
25 and the General Assembly. The report shall summarize the
26 commission's actions and findings conducted under section 4.
27 Section 6. Appropriation.
28 The sum of $25,000, or as much thereof as may be necessary,
29 is hereby appropriated to the Department of Health for the
30 purposes of carrying out and implementing this act.
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1 Section 7. Effective date.
2 This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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