LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 21, 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.), As Introduced

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) a symbol is affixed to each prescription shipment delivered through the program that indicates that the prescription is not a sample and is intended for a patient participating in the program; (2) the prescription bottle and invoice include the patient’s full name; (3) all prescriptions dispensed by the pharmaceutical company and received by a physician via the program are logged; (4) prescriptions are shipped directly to the patient when possible; and (5) the patient is contacted by telephone when the prescription is shipped.

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 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