AN ACT relating to importation of prescription drugs.
     Create a new section of KRS Chapter 217 to require the Governor, in coordination with the secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, to request that the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services certify to Congress that drug importation from licensed Canadian pharmacies, distributors, and wholesalers by licensed pharmacies, distributors, and wholesalers poses no additional risk to the public's health and safety and would result in a reduction in prescription drug costs; require the Governor and the secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to request that the secretary of the Department for Health and Human Services promulgate administrative regulations permitting licensed pharmacies, distributors, and wholesalers to import drugs from licensed Canadian pharmacies, distributors, and wholesalers; require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to design a prescription drug program to facilitate the importation of prescription drugs from licensed Canadian pharmacies, distributors, and wholesalers by pharmacies, distributors, and wholesalers licensed in Kentucky once federal regulations have been promulgated; require that the program consist of a drug formulary and patient safety protections; specify requirements for the formulary; require the cabinet to promulgate administrative regulations to establish a formula to determine acquisition costs for imported drugs and to negotiate with pharmacists to ensure that any savings from imported drugs be passed on to consumers and state health programs; require pharmacies to sell imported drugs at the lesser of 120% of the estimate of acquisition cost of the imported drug or the amount that Medicaid reimburses for the drug; and require an annual report to the Governor and the Legislative Research Commission regarding the effectiveness and cost savings of the program.

     (Prefiled by the sponsor(s).)

     Dec 7-To: Interim Joint Committee on Health and Welfare
     Jan 3-introduced in Senate
     Jan 5-to Appropriations and Revenue (S)