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


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1763
77R2398 JRD-DBy: Moncrief
Health & Human Services
4/6/2001
As Filed


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.  As
proposed, 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 161, Health and Safety Code, by adding
Subchapter Q, as follows: 

SUBCHAPTER Q.  PROVISION OF INFORMATION ABOUT PATIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

 Sec. 161.381.  DEFINITION.  Defines "patient assistance program."

Sec. 161.382.  PROVIDING INFORMATION TO DEPARTMENT.  Requires each
pharmaceutical company that does business in this state and that offers a
patient assistance program to inform the Texas Department of Health
(department) 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. 161.383.  TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE NUMBER.  Requires the department 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 department to ensure that the system is staffed at
least during normal business hours with persons with certain capabilities.
Requires the department to publicize the telephone number to pharmacies and
prescribers of drugs. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.