HI HR68

Director of Health requested to convene a working group to study prescription drug affordability review and rate setting, and submit proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2021 Regular Session.

Study should examine the makeup and duties of a commission to collect and review prescription drug pricing information, assess fees, and set state program reimbursement rates.

Study must address types of prescription drugs to be included, cost increase triggers for investigation, required pricing information, confidentiality protections, and funding mechanisms for the commission.

Working group shall include the Director of Health, Insurance Commissioner, Chairperson of the Board of Pharmacy, and representatives from the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, Hawaii Association of Health Plans, and American Association of Retired Persons.

Resolution cites Canada's national drug price review board achieving prices 30 percent lower than U.S. list prices and notes a growing number of states are considering similar affordability review board legislation.