House Bill 817 Summary

• State Department of Health shall establish a Canadian Prescription Drug Importation Program to import safe and effective prescription drugs from Canada that offer the highest cost savings to the state.

• Department must contract with a vendor to manage the program, including developing a Wholesale Prescription Drug Importation List, identifying eligible Canadian suppliers and importers, and ensuring compliance with federal Drug Quality and Security Act tracking and tracing requirements.

• Eligible importers include pharmacists and wholesalers employed by or contracted with the state's central pharmacy, Medicaid pharmacies, Department of Corrections, developmental disabilities centers, and treatment facilities for distribution to their respective populations.

• Eligible drugs exclude controlled substances, biological products, and infused, intravenously injected, or surgically inhaled drugs; imported drugs must meet FDA safety and effectiveness standards and cannot be distributed outside Mississippi.

• Department must submit federal approval request by July 1, 2025, begin operating within six months of approval, and submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature detailing imported drugs, participating entities, cost savings, and program safety measures.