LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session March 20, 2001 TO: Honorable Patricia Gray, Chair, House Committee on Public Health FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB2455 by Gray (Relating to the provision of information about patient assistance programs offered by pharmaceutical companies.), As Introduced ************************************************************************** * No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. * ************************************************************************** This bill would require that pharmaceutical companies doing business in Texas inform the Texas Department of Health (TDH) concerning their patient assistance programs (PAPs) which provide drugs at reduced or no cost to persons in need of assistance. The bill would require TDH to establish a toll-free telephone number for members of the public to use in requesting information and assistance about PAPs. The bill would further require that TDH publicize the availability of the toll-free line to pharmacies and prescribers of drugs. The costs of providing and operating a toll-free number and outreach, including selected mailings and web site, could be reasonably absorbed within existing resources. Local Government Impact No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies: 501 Texas Department of Health LBB Staff: JK, HD, AJ, SW