2005 Testimony

Testimony Before The House Human Services Committee

Clara Sue Price, Chairman

HB 1470 - Drug use review board membership

February 1, 2005

Chairman Price, members of the committee, I am Dr. Brendan Joyce, Administrator of Pharmacy Services for the Department of Human Services. I appear before you to provide testimony regarding HB 1470.

Section 1 includes some minor changes to the appointing process of members and adds a member. We would also appreciate any guidance on the identification of potential consumer representatives.

Section 2.3 includes language to exempt certain mental health, cancer, and AIDS / HIV drugs from prior authorization (PA). As a reminder, mental health drugs account for roughly 50% of our drug spend. Also, exemptions from PA are a slippery slope. It is difficult to define exactly what should be exempted. Overall, most states trust the practicing physicians and pharmacists on the DUR Board to make the appropriate decision. The fiscal note reflects the result of preventing limitations on these exempted categories of drugs. The Department does not require prior authorization of any of these medications, but we do have quantity limits, and the fiscal note is based on the termination of those limits.

I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

 

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