LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 4, 2007

TO:	Honorable Patrick M. Rose, Chair, House Committee on Human Services
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1891 by Goolsby (Relating to the regulation of a patient assistance program.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend Subchapter J, Chapter 531 of the Government Code. The new section would require a pharmaceutical company that does business with the state and offers a patient assistance program to follow the following guidelines: (1) the prescription bottle and invoice include the patient’s full name; (2) the prescription is shipped to a pharmacist designated by the patient for medication counseling and oversight; and (3) the pharmacist is directed to contact the patient by telephone when the prescription is arrives.

Both the Department of State Health Services and the Health and Human Services Commission indicate the bill has no significant fiscal impact to the state. There would likely be increased costs to pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies associated with the provisions of the bill.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

529 Health and Human Services Commission, 537 State Health Services, Department of

LBB Staff:

JOB, CL, PP, LR, MB