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2001 SESSION

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HJ 786 Study; prescription drug costs.

Introduced by: P. E. (Phil) Larrabee | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Prescription drug costs. Directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study the Commonwealth's prescription drug programs to identify mechanisms for controlling the rising costs of prescription drugs. This resolution notes that, in response to rapid increases in pharmaceutical costs incurred in government-funded pharmacy expenditures, the 2000 General Assembly mandated the Secretary of Finance, in cooperation with the Secretaries of Administration and Health and Human Resources, to conduct a study that examined the trends in Virginia's pharmaceutical expenditures. The report in response to this directive, titled Pharmaceutical Expenditures in the Commonwealth of Virginia, states that "Virginia's expenditures on pharmaceuticals have expanded rapidly over the past several years and can be expected to continue to increase in the foreseeable future." The report concludes that this trend will have a significant effect on the quality of health care provided to the citizens of the Commonwealth and will impact the budgets of government-funded health care programs. The report also notes that a number of innovative approaches for reducing and containing pharmaceutical costs have been utilized and proposed in other states that should be considered for adoption in the Commonwealth. The Commission is directed to examine the prescription drug programs sponsored by the Department of Human Resource Management, Department of Medical Assistance Services, Department of Health, Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services, and Department Corrections to ensure, among other things deemed appropriate, that the most effective means of controlling rising prescription drug costs are being employed by the Commonwealth and its contractors. This resolution has been incorporated into HJR 810.


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