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RESOLUTION URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO ENACT S.B. 1494, H.B. 351, OR SIMILAR LEGISLATION THAT WOULD PROMOTE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICING TRANSPARENCY

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WHEREAS, prescription drugs account for a significant percentage of healthcare costs; and
WHEREAS, Senate Bill (S.B.) 1494 and House Bill (H.B.) 351, bills related to prescription drug pricing transparency, were filed for consideration during the 2018 session of the Florida Legislative by Senator Bill Montford (D-Quincy) and Representative David Santiago
(R-Deltona), respectively; and
WHEREAS, S.B. 1494 and H.B. 351 would require:
a) pharmacists to inform customers of certain generically equivalent drug products and whether or not his or her cost-sharing obligation exceeds the retail price of the prescription;
b) pharmacy benefit managers to register with the Office of Insurance Regulation;
c) certain terms in health insurer contracts with pharmacy benefit managers; and
d) certain terms in health maintenance organization contracts with pharmacy benefit managers; and
WHEREAS, pharmacy benefit managers are primarily responsible for developing and maintaining the formulary, contracting with pharmacies, negotiating discounts and rebates with drug manufacturers and processing and paying prescription drug claims; and
WHEREAS, in 2017 it was estimated that three super pharmacy benefit managers accounted for an estimated 80 percent of all coverage; and
WHEREAS, proponents of S.B. 1494 and H.B. 351 advise that the legislation would shine light and accountability on pharmacy benefit managers and their practices; and
WHEREAS, S.B. 1494 was recommended favorably by its first committee of reference, and H.B. 351 was recommended favorably by its first two committees of reference; and
WHEREAS, this Board supports S.B. 1494, H.B. 351, or similar legislation that would promote greater prescription drug pricing transparency,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges the Florida Legislature to enact S.B. 1494, H.B. 351 or similar legislation that would promote prescription drug pricing transparency.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Senate President, House Speaker, Senator Bill Montford, Representative David Santiago and the Chair and the Members of the Miami-Dade County State Legislative Delegation.
Section 3. Directs the County�s state lobbyists to advocate for the legislative action set forth in Section 1 above, and authorizes and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to amend the 2018 State Legislative Package to include this item.