California 2017 2017-2018 Regular Session

California Assembly Bill AB265 Amended / Bill

Filed 08/31/2017

                    Amended IN  Senate  August 31, 2017 Amended IN  Senate  June 27, 2017 Amended IN  Senate  June 22, 2017 Amended IN  Assembly  May 30, 2017 Amended IN  Assembly  May 10, 2017 Amended IN  Assembly  April 26, 2017 Amended IN  Assembly  March 27, 2017 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 265Introduced by Assembly Member Wood(Coauthor: Assembly Member Chiu)January 31, 2017 An act to add Division 114 (commencing with Section 132000) to the Health and Safety Code, relating to public health. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 265, as amended, Wood. Prescription drugs: prohibition on price discount. Existing law regulates the packaging, labeling, and advertising of drugs and devices.This bill would prohibit, except as provided, generally prohibit a person who manufactures a prescription drug from offering in California any discount, repayment, product voucher, or other reduction in an individuals out-of-pocket expenses associated with his or her insurance health insurance or health care service plan coverage, including, but not limited to, a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible, for any prescription drug if a lower cost generic drug is covered under the individuals health plan health insurance or health care service plan on a lower cost-sharing tier that is designated as therapeutically equivalent to, or interchangeable with, to the prescription drug manufactured by that person or if the active ingredients of the drug are contained in products regulated by the federal Food and Drug Administration, are available without prescription at a lower cost, and are not otherwise contraindicated for the condition for which the prescription drug is approved. The bill would specify exceptions to these prohibitions, including, among other things, if the individual has completed any applicable step therapy or prior authorization for the prescription drug as mandated by the individuals health insurer or health care service plan or if a rebate is received by a state agency. The bill would also clarify that it does not prohibit an entity, including a manufacturer of prescription drugs, from offering pharmaceutical products free of cost to patients, insurers, and health care service plans, that it does not affect a pharmacists ability to substitute a prescription drug, and that it does not prohibit or limit assistance to a patient provided by an independent charity patient assistance program, as defined.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY  Appropriation: NO  Fiscal Committee: NO  Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Division 114 (commencing with Section 132000) is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:DIVISION 114. Prescription Drug Discount Prohibition132000. (a) Except as provided in Section 132004, a person who manufactures a prescription drug shall not offer in the state a discount, repayment, product voucher, or other reduction in an individuals out-of-pocket expenses associated with his or her insurance health insurance or health care service plan coverage, including, but not limited to, a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible, for a prescription drug if a lower cost generic drug is covered under the individuals health plan health insurance or health care service plan on a lower cost-sharing tier that is designated to be therapeutically equivalent as indicated by the United States Food and Drug Administrations Approved Drug and Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations.(b) The prohibition in subdivision (a) shall not apply to a branded prescription drug, until the time that the first drug designated in the United States Food and Drug Administrations Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations as therapeutically equivalent to that branded prescription drug has been nationally available for three calendar months.132002. Except as provided in Section 132004, a person who manufactures a prescription drug shall not offer in the state a discount, repayment, product voucher, or other reduction in the individuals out-of-pocket expenses associated with his or her insurance health insurance or health care service plan coverage, including, but not limited to, a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible, for a prescription drug if the active ingredients of the drug are contained in products regulated by the federal Food and Drug Administration, are available without prescription at a lower cost, and are not otherwise contraindicated for treatment of the condition for which the prescription drug is approved.132004. The prohibitions in Sections 132000 and 132002 shall not apply to any of the following:(a) A discount, repayment, product voucher, or other payment to a patient or another person on the patients behalf for a prescription drug required under a United States Food and Drug Administration Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy for the purpose of monitoring or facilitating the use of that prescription drug in a manner consistent with the approved labeling of the prescription drug.(b) A single-tablet drug regimen for treatment or prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) that is as effective as a multitablet regimen, unless, consistent with clinical guidelines and peer-reviewed scientific and medical literature, the multitablet regimen is clinically equally effective or more effective and is more likely to result in adherence to the drug regimen.(c) The individual has completed any applicable step therapy or prior authorization requirements for the branded prescription drug as mandated by the individuals health plan. health insurer or health care service plan.(d) A discount, repayment, product voucher, or other reduction in an individuals out-of-pocket expenses is not associated with his or her insurance health insurance or health care service plan coverage.(e) Rebates received by a state agency.132006. This division does not prohibit an entity, including an entity that manufactures prescription drugs, from offering pharmaceutical products free of any cost to both patients and insurers. patients, health insurers, or health care service plans, including patient assistance programs that are solely funded by manufacturers.132008. (a) This division shall not be deemed to affect a pharmacists ability to substitute a prescription drug pursuant to Section 4073 of the Business and Professions Code.(b) (1) This division shall not prohibit or limit assistance to a patient provided by an independent charity patient assistance program.(2) For purposes of this section, independent charity patient assistance program means a program that meets all of the following requirements:(A) The program does not allow a pharmaceutical manufacturer or an affiliate of the manufacturer, including, but not limited to, an employee, agent, officer, shareholder, contractor, wholesaler, distributor, or pharmacy benefits manager, to exert any direct or indirect influence or control over the charity or subsidy program.(B) Assistance is awarded in a truly independent manner that severs any link between a pharmaceutical manufacturers funding and the beneficiary.(C) Assistance is awarded without regard to the pharmaceutical manufacturers interest and without regard to the beneficiarys choice of product, provider, practitioner, supplier, or insurance plan. health insurance, or health care service plan.(D) Assistance is awarded based upon a reasonable, verifiable, and uniform measure of financial need that is applied in a consistent manner.(E) The pharmaceutical manufacturer does not solicit or receive data from the program that would facilitate the manufacturer in correlating the amount or frequency of its donations with the number of subsidized prescriptions for its products.

 Amended IN  Senate  August 31, 2017 Amended IN  Senate  June 27, 2017 Amended IN  Senate  June 22, 2017 Amended IN  Assembly  May 30, 2017 Amended IN  Assembly  May 10, 2017 Amended IN  Assembly  April 26, 2017 Amended IN  Assembly  March 27, 2017 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 265Introduced by Assembly Member Wood(Coauthor: Assembly Member Chiu)January 31, 2017 An act to add Division 114 (commencing with Section 132000) to the Health and Safety Code, relating to public health. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 265, as amended, Wood. Prescription drugs: prohibition on price discount. Existing law regulates the packaging, labeling, and advertising of drugs and devices.This bill would prohibit, except as provided, generally prohibit a person who manufactures a prescription drug from offering in California any discount, repayment, product voucher, or other reduction in an individuals out-of-pocket expenses associated with his or her insurance health insurance or health care service plan coverage, including, but not limited to, a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible, for any prescription drug if a lower cost generic drug is covered under the individuals health plan health insurance or health care service plan on a lower cost-sharing tier that is designated as therapeutically equivalent to, or interchangeable with, to the prescription drug manufactured by that person or if the active ingredients of the drug are contained in products regulated by the federal Food and Drug Administration, are available without prescription at a lower cost, and are not otherwise contraindicated for the condition for which the prescription drug is approved. The bill would specify exceptions to these prohibitions, including, among other things, if the individual has completed any applicable step therapy or prior authorization for the prescription drug as mandated by the individuals health insurer or health care service plan or if a rebate is received by a state agency. The bill would also clarify that it does not prohibit an entity, including a manufacturer of prescription drugs, from offering pharmaceutical products free of cost to patients, insurers, and health care service plans, that it does not affect a pharmacists ability to substitute a prescription drug, and that it does not prohibit or limit assistance to a patient provided by an independent charity patient assistance program, as defined.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY  Appropriation: NO  Fiscal Committee: NO  Local Program: NO 

 Amended IN  Senate  August 31, 2017 Amended IN  Senate  June 27, 2017 Amended IN  Senate  June 22, 2017 Amended IN  Assembly  May 30, 2017 Amended IN  Assembly  May 10, 2017 Amended IN  Assembly  April 26, 2017 Amended IN  Assembly  March 27, 2017

Amended IN  Senate  August 31, 2017
Amended IN  Senate  June 27, 2017
Amended IN  Senate  June 22, 2017
Amended IN  Assembly  May 30, 2017
Amended IN  Assembly  May 10, 2017
Amended IN  Assembly  April 26, 2017
Amended IN  Assembly  March 27, 2017

 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill No. 265

Introduced by Assembly Member Wood(Coauthor: Assembly Member Chiu)January 31, 2017

Introduced by Assembly Member Wood(Coauthor: Assembly Member Chiu)
January 31, 2017

 An act to add Division 114 (commencing with Section 132000) to the Health and Safety Code, relating to public health. 

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 265, as amended, Wood. Prescription drugs: prohibition on price discount. 

Existing law regulates the packaging, labeling, and advertising of drugs and devices.This bill would prohibit, except as provided, generally prohibit a person who manufactures a prescription drug from offering in California any discount, repayment, product voucher, or other reduction in an individuals out-of-pocket expenses associated with his or her insurance health insurance or health care service plan coverage, including, but not limited to, a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible, for any prescription drug if a lower cost generic drug is covered under the individuals health plan health insurance or health care service plan on a lower cost-sharing tier that is designated as therapeutically equivalent to, or interchangeable with, to the prescription drug manufactured by that person or if the active ingredients of the drug are contained in products regulated by the federal Food and Drug Administration, are available without prescription at a lower cost, and are not otherwise contraindicated for the condition for which the prescription drug is approved. The bill would specify exceptions to these prohibitions, including, among other things, if the individual has completed any applicable step therapy or prior authorization for the prescription drug as mandated by the individuals health insurer or health care service plan or if a rebate is received by a state agency. The bill would also clarify that it does not prohibit an entity, including a manufacturer of prescription drugs, from offering pharmaceutical products free of cost to patients, insurers, and health care service plans, that it does not affect a pharmacists ability to substitute a prescription drug, and that it does not prohibit or limit assistance to a patient provided by an independent charity patient assistance program, as defined.

Existing law regulates the packaging, labeling, and advertising of drugs and devices.

This bill would prohibit, except as provided, generally prohibit a person who manufactures a prescription drug from offering in California any discount, repayment, product voucher, or other reduction in an individuals out-of-pocket expenses associated with his or her insurance health insurance or health care service plan coverage, including, but not limited to, a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible, for any prescription drug if a lower cost generic drug is covered under the individuals health plan health insurance or health care service plan on a lower cost-sharing tier that is designated as therapeutically equivalent to, or interchangeable with, to the prescription drug manufactured by that person or if the active ingredients of the drug are contained in products regulated by the federal Food and Drug Administration, are available without prescription at a lower cost, and are not otherwise contraindicated for the condition for which the prescription drug is approved. The bill would specify exceptions to these prohibitions, including, among other things, if the individual has completed any applicable step therapy or prior authorization for the prescription drug as mandated by the individuals health insurer or health care service plan or if a rebate is received by a state agency. The bill would also clarify that it does not prohibit an entity, including a manufacturer of prescription drugs, from offering pharmaceutical products free of cost to patients, insurers, and health care service plans, that it does not affect a pharmacists ability to substitute a prescription drug, and that it does not prohibit or limit assistance to a patient provided by an independent charity patient assistance program, as defined.

## Digest Key

## Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Division 114 (commencing with Section 132000) is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:DIVISION 114. Prescription Drug Discount Prohibition132000. (a) Except as provided in Section 132004, a person who manufactures a prescription drug shall not offer in the state a discount, repayment, product voucher, or other reduction in an individuals out-of-pocket expenses associated with his or her insurance health insurance or health care service plan coverage, including, but not limited to, a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible, for a prescription drug if a lower cost generic drug is covered under the individuals health plan health insurance or health care service plan on a lower cost-sharing tier that is designated to be therapeutically equivalent as indicated by the United States Food and Drug Administrations Approved Drug and Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations.(b) The prohibition in subdivision (a) shall not apply to a branded prescription drug, until the time that the first drug designated in the United States Food and Drug Administrations Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations as therapeutically equivalent to that branded prescription drug has been nationally available for three calendar months.132002. Except as provided in Section 132004, a person who manufactures a prescription drug shall not offer in the state a discount, repayment, product voucher, or other reduction in the individuals out-of-pocket expenses associated with his or her insurance health insurance or health care service plan coverage, including, but not limited to, a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible, for a prescription drug if the active ingredients of the drug are contained in products regulated by the federal Food and Drug Administration, are available without prescription at a lower cost, and are not otherwise contraindicated for treatment of the condition for which the prescription drug is approved.132004. The prohibitions in Sections 132000 and 132002 shall not apply to any of the following:(a) A discount, repayment, product voucher, or other payment to a patient or another person on the patients behalf for a prescription drug required under a United States Food and Drug Administration Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy for the purpose of monitoring or facilitating the use of that prescription drug in a manner consistent with the approved labeling of the prescription drug.(b) A single-tablet drug regimen for treatment or prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) that is as effective as a multitablet regimen, unless, consistent with clinical guidelines and peer-reviewed scientific and medical literature, the multitablet regimen is clinically equally effective or more effective and is more likely to result in adherence to the drug regimen.(c) The individual has completed any applicable step therapy or prior authorization requirements for the branded prescription drug as mandated by the individuals health plan. health insurer or health care service plan.(d) A discount, repayment, product voucher, or other reduction in an individuals out-of-pocket expenses is not associated with his or her insurance health insurance or health care service plan coverage.(e) Rebates received by a state agency.132006. This division does not prohibit an entity, including an entity that manufactures prescription drugs, from offering pharmaceutical products free of any cost to both patients and insurers. patients, health insurers, or health care service plans, including patient assistance programs that are solely funded by manufacturers.132008. (a) This division shall not be deemed to affect a pharmacists ability to substitute a prescription drug pursuant to Section 4073 of the Business and Professions Code.(b) (1) This division shall not prohibit or limit assistance to a patient provided by an independent charity patient assistance program.(2) For purposes of this section, independent charity patient assistance program means a program that meets all of the following requirements:(A) The program does not allow a pharmaceutical manufacturer or an affiliate of the manufacturer, including, but not limited to, an employee, agent, officer, shareholder, contractor, wholesaler, distributor, or pharmacy benefits manager, to exert any direct or indirect influence or control over the charity or subsidy program.(B) Assistance is awarded in a truly independent manner that severs any link between a pharmaceutical manufacturers funding and the beneficiary.(C) Assistance is awarded without regard to the pharmaceutical manufacturers interest and without regard to the beneficiarys choice of product, provider, practitioner, supplier, or insurance plan. health insurance, or health care service plan.(D) Assistance is awarded based upon a reasonable, verifiable, and uniform measure of financial need that is applied in a consistent manner.(E) The pharmaceutical manufacturer does not solicit or receive data from the program that would facilitate the manufacturer in correlating the amount or frequency of its donations with the number of subsidized prescriptions for its products.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1. Division 114 (commencing with Section 132000) is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:DIVISION 114. Prescription Drug Discount Prohibition132000. (a) Except as provided in Section 132004, a person who manufactures a prescription drug shall not offer in the state a discount, repayment, product voucher, or other reduction in an individuals out-of-pocket expenses associated with his or her insurance health insurance or health care service plan coverage, including, but not limited to, a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible, for a prescription drug if a lower cost generic drug is covered under the individuals health plan health insurance or health care service plan on a lower cost-sharing tier that is designated to be therapeutically equivalent as indicated by the United States Food and Drug Administrations Approved Drug and Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations.(b) The prohibition in subdivision (a) shall not apply to a branded prescription drug, until the time that the first drug designated in the United States Food and Drug Administrations Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations as therapeutically equivalent to that branded prescription drug has been nationally available for three calendar months.132002. Except as provided in Section 132004, a person who manufactures a prescription drug shall not offer in the state a discount, repayment, product voucher, or other reduction in the individuals out-of-pocket expenses associated with his or her insurance health insurance or health care service plan coverage, including, but not limited to, a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible, for a prescription drug if the active ingredients of the drug are contained in products regulated by the federal Food and Drug Administration, are available without prescription at a lower cost, and are not otherwise contraindicated for treatment of the condition for which the prescription drug is approved.132004. The prohibitions in Sections 132000 and 132002 shall not apply to any of the following:(a) A discount, repayment, product voucher, or other payment to a patient or another person on the patients behalf for a prescription drug required under a United States Food and Drug Administration Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy for the purpose of monitoring or facilitating the use of that prescription drug in a manner consistent with the approved labeling of the prescription drug.(b) A single-tablet drug regimen for treatment or prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) that is as effective as a multitablet regimen, unless, consistent with clinical guidelines and peer-reviewed scientific and medical literature, the multitablet regimen is clinically equally effective or more effective and is more likely to result in adherence to the drug regimen.(c) The individual has completed any applicable step therapy or prior authorization requirements for the branded prescription drug as mandated by the individuals health plan. health insurer or health care service plan.(d) A discount, repayment, product voucher, or other reduction in an individuals out-of-pocket expenses is not associated with his or her insurance health insurance or health care service plan coverage.(e) Rebates received by a state agency.132006. This division does not prohibit an entity, including an entity that manufactures prescription drugs, from offering pharmaceutical products free of any cost to both patients and insurers. patients, health insurers, or health care service plans, including patient assistance programs that are solely funded by manufacturers.132008. (a) This division shall not be deemed to affect a pharmacists ability to substitute a prescription drug pursuant to Section 4073 of the Business and Professions Code.(b) (1) This division shall not prohibit or limit assistance to a patient provided by an independent charity patient assistance program.(2) For purposes of this section, independent charity patient assistance program means a program that meets all of the following requirements:(A) The program does not allow a pharmaceutical manufacturer or an affiliate of the manufacturer, including, but not limited to, an employee, agent, officer, shareholder, contractor, wholesaler, distributor, or pharmacy benefits manager, to exert any direct or indirect influence or control over the charity or subsidy program.(B) Assistance is awarded in a truly independent manner that severs any link between a pharmaceutical manufacturers funding and the beneficiary.(C) Assistance is awarded without regard to the pharmaceutical manufacturers interest and without regard to the beneficiarys choice of product, provider, practitioner, supplier, or insurance plan. health insurance, or health care service plan.(D) Assistance is awarded based upon a reasonable, verifiable, and uniform measure of financial need that is applied in a consistent manner.(E) The pharmaceutical manufacturer does not solicit or receive data from the program that would facilitate the manufacturer in correlating the amount or frequency of its donations with the number of subsidized prescriptions for its products.

SECTION 1. Division 114 (commencing with Section 132000) is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:

### SECTION 1.

DIVISION 114. Prescription Drug Discount Prohibition132000. (a) Except as provided in Section 132004, a person who manufactures a prescription drug shall not offer in the state a discount, repayment, product voucher, or other reduction in an individuals out-of-pocket expenses associated with his or her insurance health insurance or health care service plan coverage, including, but not limited to, a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible, for a prescription drug if a lower cost generic drug is covered under the individuals health plan health insurance or health care service plan on a lower cost-sharing tier that is designated to be therapeutically equivalent as indicated by the United States Food and Drug Administrations Approved Drug and Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations.(b) The prohibition in subdivision (a) shall not apply to a branded prescription drug, until the time that the first drug designated in the United States Food and Drug Administrations Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations as therapeutically equivalent to that branded prescription drug has been nationally available for three calendar months.132002. Except as provided in Section 132004, a person who manufactures a prescription drug shall not offer in the state a discount, repayment, product voucher, or other reduction in the individuals out-of-pocket expenses associated with his or her insurance health insurance or health care service plan coverage, including, but not limited to, a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible, for a prescription drug if the active ingredients of the drug are contained in products regulated by the federal Food and Drug Administration, are available without prescription at a lower cost, and are not otherwise contraindicated for treatment of the condition for which the prescription drug is approved.132004. The prohibitions in Sections 132000 and 132002 shall not apply to any of the following:(a) A discount, repayment, product voucher, or other payment to a patient or another person on the patients behalf for a prescription drug required under a United States Food and Drug Administration Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy for the purpose of monitoring or facilitating the use of that prescription drug in a manner consistent with the approved labeling of the prescription drug.(b) A single-tablet drug regimen for treatment or prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) that is as effective as a multitablet regimen, unless, consistent with clinical guidelines and peer-reviewed scientific and medical literature, the multitablet regimen is clinically equally effective or more effective and is more likely to result in adherence to the drug regimen.(c) The individual has completed any applicable step therapy or prior authorization requirements for the branded prescription drug as mandated by the individuals health plan. health insurer or health care service plan.(d) A discount, repayment, product voucher, or other reduction in an individuals out-of-pocket expenses is not associated with his or her insurance health insurance or health care service plan coverage.(e) Rebates received by a state agency.132006. This division does not prohibit an entity, including an entity that manufactures prescription drugs, from offering pharmaceutical products free of any cost to both patients and insurers. patients, health insurers, or health care service plans, including patient assistance programs that are solely funded by manufacturers.132008. (a) This division shall not be deemed to affect a pharmacists ability to substitute a prescription drug pursuant to Section 4073 of the Business and Professions Code.(b) (1) This division shall not prohibit or limit assistance to a patient provided by an independent charity patient assistance program.(2) For purposes of this section, independent charity patient assistance program means a program that meets all of the following requirements:(A) The program does not allow a pharmaceutical manufacturer or an affiliate of the manufacturer, including, but not limited to, an employee, agent, officer, shareholder, contractor, wholesaler, distributor, or pharmacy benefits manager, to exert any direct or indirect influence or control over the charity or subsidy program.(B) Assistance is awarded in a truly independent manner that severs any link between a pharmaceutical manufacturers funding and the beneficiary.(C) Assistance is awarded without regard to the pharmaceutical manufacturers interest and without regard to the beneficiarys choice of product, provider, practitioner, supplier, or insurance plan. health insurance, or health care service plan.(D) Assistance is awarded based upon a reasonable, verifiable, and uniform measure of financial need that is applied in a consistent manner.(E) The pharmaceutical manufacturer does not solicit or receive data from the program that would facilitate the manufacturer in correlating the amount or frequency of its donations with the number of subsidized prescriptions for its products.

DIVISION 114. Prescription Drug Discount Prohibition132000. (a) Except as provided in Section 132004, a person who manufactures a prescription drug shall not offer in the state a discount, repayment, product voucher, or other reduction in an individuals out-of-pocket expenses associated with his or her insurance health insurance or health care service plan coverage, including, but not limited to, a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible, for a prescription drug if a lower cost generic drug is covered under the individuals health plan health insurance or health care service plan on a lower cost-sharing tier that is designated to be therapeutically equivalent as indicated by the United States Food and Drug Administrations Approved Drug and Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations.(b) The prohibition in subdivision (a) shall not apply to a branded prescription drug, until the time that the first drug designated in the United States Food and Drug Administrations Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations as therapeutically equivalent to that branded prescription drug has been nationally available for three calendar months.132002. Except as provided in Section 132004, a person who manufactures a prescription drug shall not offer in the state a discount, repayment, product voucher, or other reduction in the individuals out-of-pocket expenses associated with his or her insurance health insurance or health care service plan coverage, including, but not limited to, a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible, for a prescription drug if the active ingredients of the drug are contained in products regulated by the federal Food and Drug Administration, are available without prescription at a lower cost, and are not otherwise contraindicated for treatment of the condition for which the prescription drug is approved.132004. The prohibitions in Sections 132000 and 132002 shall not apply to any of the following:(a) A discount, repayment, product voucher, or other payment to a patient or another person on the patients behalf for a prescription drug required under a United States Food and Drug Administration Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy for the purpose of monitoring or facilitating the use of that prescription drug in a manner consistent with the approved labeling of the prescription drug.(b) A single-tablet drug regimen for treatment or prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) that is as effective as a multitablet regimen, unless, consistent with clinical guidelines and peer-reviewed scientific and medical literature, the multitablet regimen is clinically equally effective or more effective and is more likely to result in adherence to the drug regimen.(c) The individual has completed any applicable step therapy or prior authorization requirements for the branded prescription drug as mandated by the individuals health plan. health insurer or health care service plan.(d) A discount, repayment, product voucher, or other reduction in an individuals out-of-pocket expenses is not associated with his or her insurance health insurance or health care service plan coverage.(e) Rebates received by a state agency.132006. This division does not prohibit an entity, including an entity that manufactures prescription drugs, from offering pharmaceutical products free of any cost to both patients and insurers. patients, health insurers, or health care service plans, including patient assistance programs that are solely funded by manufacturers.132008. (a) This division shall not be deemed to affect a pharmacists ability to substitute a prescription drug pursuant to Section 4073 of the Business and Professions Code.(b) (1) This division shall not prohibit or limit assistance to a patient provided by an independent charity patient assistance program.(2) For purposes of this section, independent charity patient assistance program means a program that meets all of the following requirements:(A) The program does not allow a pharmaceutical manufacturer or an affiliate of the manufacturer, including, but not limited to, an employee, agent, officer, shareholder, contractor, wholesaler, distributor, or pharmacy benefits manager, to exert any direct or indirect influence or control over the charity or subsidy program.(B) Assistance is awarded in a truly independent manner that severs any link between a pharmaceutical manufacturers funding and the beneficiary.(C) Assistance is awarded without regard to the pharmaceutical manufacturers interest and without regard to the beneficiarys choice of product, provider, practitioner, supplier, or insurance plan. health insurance, or health care service plan.(D) Assistance is awarded based upon a reasonable, verifiable, and uniform measure of financial need that is applied in a consistent manner.(E) The pharmaceutical manufacturer does not solicit or receive data from the program that would facilitate the manufacturer in correlating the amount or frequency of its donations with the number of subsidized prescriptions for its products.

DIVISION 114. Prescription Drug Discount Prohibition

DIVISION 114. Prescription Drug Discount Prohibition

132000. (a) Except as provided in Section 132004, a person who manufactures a prescription drug shall not offer in the state a discount, repayment, product voucher, or other reduction in an individuals out-of-pocket expenses associated with his or her insurance health insurance or health care service plan coverage, including, but not limited to, a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible, for a prescription drug if a lower cost generic drug is covered under the individuals health plan health insurance or health care service plan on a lower cost-sharing tier that is designated to be therapeutically equivalent as indicated by the United States Food and Drug Administrations Approved Drug and Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations.(b) The prohibition in subdivision (a) shall not apply to a branded prescription drug, until the time that the first drug designated in the United States Food and Drug Administrations Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations as therapeutically equivalent to that branded prescription drug has been nationally available for three calendar months.



132000. (a) Except as provided in Section 132004, a person who manufactures a prescription drug shall not offer in the state a discount, repayment, product voucher, or other reduction in an individuals out-of-pocket expenses associated with his or her insurance health insurance or health care service plan coverage, including, but not limited to, a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible, for a prescription drug if a lower cost generic drug is covered under the individuals health plan health insurance or health care service plan on a lower cost-sharing tier that is designated to be therapeutically equivalent as indicated by the United States Food and Drug Administrations Approved Drug and Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations.

(b) The prohibition in subdivision (a) shall not apply to a branded prescription drug, until the time that the first drug designated in the United States Food and Drug Administrations Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations as therapeutically equivalent to that branded prescription drug has been nationally available for three calendar months.

132002. Except as provided in Section 132004, a person who manufactures a prescription drug shall not offer in the state a discount, repayment, product voucher, or other reduction in the individuals out-of-pocket expenses associated with his or her insurance health insurance or health care service plan coverage, including, but not limited to, a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible, for a prescription drug if the active ingredients of the drug are contained in products regulated by the federal Food and Drug Administration, are available without prescription at a lower cost, and are not otherwise contraindicated for treatment of the condition for which the prescription drug is approved.



132002. Except as provided in Section 132004, a person who manufactures a prescription drug shall not offer in the state a discount, repayment, product voucher, or other reduction in the individuals out-of-pocket expenses associated with his or her insurance health insurance or health care service plan coverage, including, but not limited to, a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible, for a prescription drug if the active ingredients of the drug are contained in products regulated by the federal Food and Drug Administration, are available without prescription at a lower cost, and are not otherwise contraindicated for treatment of the condition for which the prescription drug is approved.

132004. The prohibitions in Sections 132000 and 132002 shall not apply to any of the following:(a) A discount, repayment, product voucher, or other payment to a patient or another person on the patients behalf for a prescription drug required under a United States Food and Drug Administration Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy for the purpose of monitoring or facilitating the use of that prescription drug in a manner consistent with the approved labeling of the prescription drug.(b) A single-tablet drug regimen for treatment or prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) that is as effective as a multitablet regimen, unless, consistent with clinical guidelines and peer-reviewed scientific and medical literature, the multitablet regimen is clinically equally effective or more effective and is more likely to result in adherence to the drug regimen.(c) The individual has completed any applicable step therapy or prior authorization requirements for the branded prescription drug as mandated by the individuals health plan. health insurer or health care service plan.(d) A discount, repayment, product voucher, or other reduction in an individuals out-of-pocket expenses is not associated with his or her insurance health insurance or health care service plan coverage.(e) Rebates received by a state agency.



132004. The prohibitions in Sections 132000 and 132002 shall not apply to any of the following:

(a) A discount, repayment, product voucher, or other payment to a patient or another person on the patients behalf for a prescription drug required under a United States Food and Drug Administration Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy for the purpose of monitoring or facilitating the use of that prescription drug in a manner consistent with the approved labeling of the prescription drug.

(b) A single-tablet drug regimen for treatment or prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) that is as effective as a multitablet regimen, unless, consistent with clinical guidelines and peer-reviewed scientific and medical literature, the multitablet regimen is clinically equally effective or more effective and is more likely to result in adherence to the drug regimen.

(c) The individual has completed any applicable step therapy or prior authorization requirements for the branded prescription drug as mandated by the individuals health plan. health insurer or health care service plan.

(d) A discount, repayment, product voucher, or other reduction in an individuals out-of-pocket expenses is not associated with his or her insurance health insurance or health care service plan coverage.

(e) Rebates received by a state agency.

132006. This division does not prohibit an entity, including an entity that manufactures prescription drugs, from offering pharmaceutical products free of any cost to both patients and insurers. patients, health insurers, or health care service plans, including patient assistance programs that are solely funded by manufacturers.



132006. This division does not prohibit an entity, including an entity that manufactures prescription drugs, from offering pharmaceutical products free of any cost to both patients and insurers. patients, health insurers, or health care service plans, including patient assistance programs that are solely funded by manufacturers.

132008. (a) This division shall not be deemed to affect a pharmacists ability to substitute a prescription drug pursuant to Section 4073 of the Business and Professions Code.(b) (1) This division shall not prohibit or limit assistance to a patient provided by an independent charity patient assistance program.(2) For purposes of this section, independent charity patient assistance program means a program that meets all of the following requirements:(A) The program does not allow a pharmaceutical manufacturer or an affiliate of the manufacturer, including, but not limited to, an employee, agent, officer, shareholder, contractor, wholesaler, distributor, or pharmacy benefits manager, to exert any direct or indirect influence or control over the charity or subsidy program.(B) Assistance is awarded in a truly independent manner that severs any link between a pharmaceutical manufacturers funding and the beneficiary.(C) Assistance is awarded without regard to the pharmaceutical manufacturers interest and without regard to the beneficiarys choice of product, provider, practitioner, supplier, or insurance plan. health insurance, or health care service plan.(D) Assistance is awarded based upon a reasonable, verifiable, and uniform measure of financial need that is applied in a consistent manner.(E) The pharmaceutical manufacturer does not solicit or receive data from the program that would facilitate the manufacturer in correlating the amount or frequency of its donations with the number of subsidized prescriptions for its products.



132008. (a) This division shall not be deemed to affect a pharmacists ability to substitute a prescription drug pursuant to Section 4073 of the Business and Professions Code.

(b) (1) This division shall not prohibit or limit assistance to a patient provided by an independent charity patient assistance program.

(2) For purposes of this section, independent charity patient assistance program means a program that meets all of the following requirements:

(A) The program does not allow a pharmaceutical manufacturer or an affiliate of the manufacturer, including, but not limited to, an employee, agent, officer, shareholder, contractor, wholesaler, distributor, or pharmacy benefits manager, to exert any direct or indirect influence or control over the charity or subsidy program.

(B) Assistance is awarded in a truly independent manner that severs any link between a pharmaceutical manufacturers funding and the beneficiary.

(C) Assistance is awarded without regard to the pharmaceutical manufacturers interest and without regard to the beneficiarys choice of product, provider, practitioner, supplier, or insurance plan. health insurance, or health care service plan.

(D) Assistance is awarded based upon a reasonable, verifiable, and uniform measure of financial need that is applied in a consistent manner.

(E) The pharmaceutical manufacturer does not solicit or receive data from the program that would facilitate the manufacturer in correlating the amount or frequency of its donations with the number of subsidized prescriptions for its products.