BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  SB 1301
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   August 8, 2012

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                Felipe Fuentes, Chair

                  SB 1301 (Hern�ndez) - As Amended:  August 6, 2012 

          Policy Committee:                             HealthVote:18-0
                       Business and Professions         Vote: 9-0

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program: 
          No     Reimbursable:              No

           SUMMARY  

          This bill allows a pharmacist to dispense up to a 90-day supply 
          of a prescribed drug, excluding controlled substances, if the 
          patient has completed an initial 30-day supply of the drug and 
          other requirements are satisfied, as specified. 

          It also specifies it does not require a health care service 
          plan, health insurer, workers' compensation insurance plan, 
          pharmacy benefits manager, or any other person or entity, 
          including, but not limited to, a state program or state 
          employer, to provide drug coverage in a manner inconsistent with 
          a beneficiary's plan benefit.

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          Negligible state fiscal effect. 

           COMMENTS  

           1)Rationale  .  The author believes that allowing patients to 
            receive up to 90 days of a prescription refill will make it 
            easier for them to adhere to their treatment and live 
            healthier lives while reducing costs throughout the health 
            care system.  Additionally, he points to consumer benefit from 
            increased convenience and possible fewer copayments at the 
            pharmacy.  The California Retailers Association is the sponsor 
            of this measure. 

           2)Background  . Currently, pharmacists must seek authorization 
            from a prescriber before dispensing more than a 30-day 
            prescription unless a larger amount is prescribed initially.  








                                                                  SB 1301
                                                                  Page  2

            Retailers report that often, prescribers cannot be reached for 
            authorization, leaving individuals with only a 30-day supply 
            which must then be refilled.

            Studies have found potential cost savings related to 
            dispensing larger amounts of certain drugs.  Generally, drugs 
            for which prescription adherence is important, that are 
            lower-cost per dose, and/or that are related to controlling 
            chronic conditions are thought to be better candidates for 
            larger dosages from a health care cost perspective. This bill 
            does not require health plans to cover a 90-day supply, 
            suggesting that plans and pharmacy benefit managers would 
            retain control over which drugs are reimbursed in larger 
            quantities than 30 days.


           Analysis Prepared by  :    Lisa Murawski / APPR. / (916) 319-2081