130530

HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE
SECTION 130530




130530.  (a) The department shall encourage a participating
manufacturer to maintain those private discount drug programs that
are comparable to or more extensive than those provided prior to the
enactment of this division. To the extent possible, the department
shall encourage a participating manufacturer to simplify the
application and eligibility processes for its private discount drug
program.
   (b) The department may execute agreements with drug manufacturers
and other private patient assistance programs to provide a single
point of entry for eligibility determination and claims processing
for drugs available through those programs to the extent permitted by
state and federal law.
   (c) The department shall develop a system to provide a program
participant under this division with the best discounts on
prescription drugs that are available to the participant through this
program or through a drug manufacturer or other private patient
assistance program.
   (d) (1) The department may require an applicant to provide
additional information to determine the applicant's eligibility for
other discount card and patient assistance programs.
   (2) The department shall not require an applicant to participate
in a drug manufacturer patient assistance program or to disclose
information that would determine the applicant's eligibility to
participate in a drug manufacturer patient assistance program in
order to participate in the California Discount Prescription Drug
Program.
   (e) In order to verify that California residents are being served
by drug manufacturer patient assistance programs, the department
shall require drug manufacturers to provide the department annually
with all of the following information:
   (1) The total value of the manufacturer's drugs provided at no or
very low cost to California residents during the previous year.
   (2) The total number of prescriptions or 30-day supplies of the
manufacturer's drugs provided at no or very low cost to California
residents during the previous year.
   (f) The California Discount Prescription Drug Program card issued
pursuant to this division shall serve as a single point of entry for
drugs available pursuant to subdivision (a), and shall meet all legal
requirements for a health benefit card.