SRC-CTC S.B. 1763 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 1763
By: Moncrief
Health & Human Services
6/8/2001
Enrolled


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, many pharmaceutical manufacturers operate patient assistance
programs to provide free or reduced cost medications to patients who cannot
afford the medications and meet certain qualifying criteria.  However,
these programs are not widely publicized and many patients and physicians
do not know how to access them or know the eligibility requirements.  S.B.
1763 requires each pharmaceutical manufacturer in Texas which has such a
program to provide information about the program to the Texas Department of
Health (department).  Requires the department to then operate a toll-free
telephone number to assist patients with finding and applying for such
programs and publicize the number to prescibers and pharmacies. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 531, Government Code, by adding Subchapter I, as
follows: 

SUBCHAPTER I.  PROVISION OF INFORMATION ABOUT PATIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

 Sec. 531.301.  DEFINITION.  Defines "patient assistance program."

Sec. 531.302.  PROVIDING INFORMATION TO COMMISSION.  Requires each
pharmaceutical company that does business in this state and that offers a
patient assistance program to inform the Health and Human Services
Commission (commission) of the existence of the program, the eligibility
requirements for the program, the drugs covered by the program, and
information such as a telephone number used for applying for the program. 

Sec. 531.303.  TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE NUMBER.  Requires the commission to
establish a system under which members of the public can call a toll-free
telephone number to obtain information about available patient assistance
programs.  Requires the commission to ensure that the system is staffed at
least during normal business hours with persons with certain capabilities.
Requires the commissionto publicize the telephone number to pharmacies and
prescribers of drugs. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.