CT HB05452

Expands the prescription drug education program governance from UConn Health Center alone to a joint effort including UConn School of Medicine, UConn School of Nursing, the Health Care Costs Containment Committee, and the Commissioner of Social Services, effective July 1, 2016.

Changes the program's required activities to optional, allowing (rather than requiring) in-person educational visits with prescribing practitioners and removing the mandate to inform practitioners about drug marketing designed to prevent generic competition.

Requires the program to provide outreach and education to physicians and health care practitioners participating in state-funded programs including Medicaid, HUSKY Health, Department of Correction inmate health services, and state employees' health insurance.

Permits seeking federal funds and funding from nongovernmental health access foundations for program administration and operation, removing the previous condition that UConn was not required to implement the program if funds were insufficient.

Requires joint annual reports to the General Assembly's Public Health Committee starting January 1, 2017, documenting program status and effectiveness in reducing state prescription drug spending.