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2020 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 52
Requesting the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to convene a work group to examine the pharmaceutical distribution payment system in the Commonwealth and innovative solutions to address the cost of prescription drugs to Virginians at the point of sale. Report.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 10, 2020
Agreed to by the Senate, February 25, 2020
 

 

WHEREAS, health care coverage including prescription medications is important to the health and safety of Virginia residents; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth has a substantial public interest in the price of and cost-sharing for prescription drugs; and

WHEREAS, it is essential to understand the drivers and impacts of pricing on the consumer at the point of sale, including the role of pharmaceutical companies, pharmacy benefits managers, and health plans; and

WHEREAS, transparency is an important step toward that understanding and can lead to better cost containment and greater consumer access to prescription drugs; and

WHEREAS, many prescription drugs and prescription drug cost-sharing have become increasingly unaffordable for residents of the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, that the Secretary of Health and Human Resources be requested to convene a work group to examine the pharmaceutical distribution payment system in the Commonwealth and innovative solutions to address the cost of prescription drugs to Virginians at the point of sale.

The examination shall include a review of transparency for pharmaceutical manufacturers, pharmacy benefits managers, and health insurance carriers, and the work group shall provide policy and legislative recommendations to help reduce out-of-pocket expenses for citizens of the Commonwealth and to address issues within the pharmaceutical distribution system. The work group shall also consider the resources necessary to fund any proposed options. The work group shall include representatives of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the Association for Accessible Medicines, the Virginia Biotechnology Association, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, and the Virginia Association of Health Plans and Virginia patient representatives.

The Secretary of Health and Human Resources shall submit an executive summary of the work group's findings and any legislative recommendations to the General Assembly by November 1, 2020.