By: Moncrief, Shapleigh S.B. No. 1763 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the provision of information about patient assistance 1-3 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Chapter 161, Health and Safety Code, is amended 1-6 by adding Subchapter Q to read as follows: 1-7 SUBCHAPTER Q. PROVISION OF INFORMATION ABOUT 1-8 PATIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS 1-9 Sec. 161.381. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "patient 1-10 assistance program" means a program offered by a pharmaceutical 1-11 company under which the company provides a drug to persons in need 1-12 of assistance at no charge or at a substantially reduced cost. The 1-13 term does not include the provision of a drug as part of a clinical 1-14 trial. 1-15 Sec. 161.382. PROVIDING INFORMATION TO DEPARTMENT. Each 1-16 pharmaceutical company that does business in this state and that 1-17 offers a patient assistance program shall inform the department of 1-18 the existence of the program, the eligibility requirements for the 1-19 program, the drugs covered by the program, and information such as 1-20 a telephone number used for applying for the program. 1-21 Sec. 161.383. TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE NUMBER. (a) The 1-22 department shall establish a system under which members of the 1-23 public can call a toll-free telephone number to obtain information 1-24 about available patient assistance programs. The department shall 1-25 ensure that the system is staffed at least during normal business 2-1 hours with persons who can: 2-2 (1) determine whether a patient assistance program is 2-3 offered for a particular drug; 2-4 (2) determine whether a person may be eligible to 2-5 participate in a program; and 2-6 (3) assist persons who wish to apply for a program. 2-7 (b) The department shall publicize the telephone number to 2-8 pharmacies and prescribers of drugs. 2-9 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.