BILL NUMBER:  AB 2418
  VETOED	DATE: 09/25/2014




To the Members of the California State Assembly:

I am returning Assembly Bill 2418 without my signature.

The bill would require health plans and insurers to apply a prorated
daily cost-sharing rate to the refills of certain medications if the
prescriber or pharmacist indicates it is in the best interest of the
patient and it is for the purpose of synchronizing refill dates for
the patient's medications. The bill also allows for early refills of
covered eye products.

While I understand the importance of encouraging people to take their
prescribed medications, the bill lacks explicit patient consent
before changes are made to refills; nor does the bill speak to the
supportive elements that have made synchronization programs
anecdotally successful.

Medication adherence is complicated. Solutions to this problem will
likely require a more holistic approach and collaboration between
doctors, patients, pharmacists and health plans.

Sincerely,



Edmund G. Brown Jr.