H.B. No. 715 - Canadian Prescription Drug Importation Program

• The State Board of Pharmacy shall develop a program to import safe and effective prescription drugs from Canada to generate cost savings for Ohio consumers.

• The board must contract with a third-party entity that has previously assisted other states in establishing drug importation programs under federal law (21 U.S.C. 384).

• The third-party entity shall identify Canadian wholesalers and drug suppliers, establish measures to import only FDA-approved drugs expected to generate substantial savings, and ensure compliance with federal transaction and tracing requirements.

• The board must submit annual reports to state legislative leaders detailing participating pharmacies and health plan issuers, prescriptions dispensed, estimated cost savings, and audit findings.

• The bill appropriates $2,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund for fiscal year 2023 to the State Board of Pharmacy for the prescription drug importation program.