2016 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 87
BY SENATOR JOHNS
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To urge and request the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy to study and make recommendations
regarding the use of the terms "specialty drug" and "specialty pharmacy".
WHEREAS, the legislature has charged the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy with the
authority and responsibility of regulating the profession and practice of pharmacy in the
interest of the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, the board accomplishes its mission through two broad objectives – to
restrict the entry into the practice of pharmacy to those persons meeting the minimum
qualifications for licensure and to monitor and regulate the professional practice of its
licensees to ensure their compliance with the laws and rules governing the practice of
pharmacy; and
WHEREAS, in recent years the term "specialty drug" has become one of the fastest
growing drug categories with no clear and consistent definition of the term; and
WHEREAS, defining the term "specialty drug" can be a challenge as each key
stakeholder has a different perspective and different interpretation of what is encompassed
by this term; and
WHEREAS, although the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services defines
"specialty drug" as a drug costing more than six hundred dollars per month, there is no
consistent definition among the United States Food and Drug Administration, employers,
health plans, pharmacy benefit managers, other health care stakeholders, or even in
Louisiana law defining "specialty drug"; and
WHEREAS, use of the term "specialty pharmacy" has also increased in recent years
without the benefit of a clear and concise definition; and
WHEREAS, in general, a "specialty pharmacy" may be considered a pharmacy that
has been created to manage the handling and service requirements of specialty
pharmaceuticals (drugs), including dispensing, distribution, reimbursement, case
management, and other services specific to patients with rare or chronic diseases; and
Page 1 of 2 SCR NO. 87 ENROLLED
WHEREAS, the uncertainty, inconsistent, and unregulated use of the terms "specialty
drug" and "specialty pharmacy" in Louisiana can create obstacles that prevent patient access
to much needed medications.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
urge and request the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy to study and make recommendations
regarding the use of the terms "specialty drug" and "specialty pharmacy" and whether
revisions to present laws, rules or regulations of the state are necessary to ensure that the
terms are consistently used in Louisiana in such a way as to not inhibit patient access.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, in performing the study, the Louisiana Board
of Pharmacy shall engage and solicit input, recommendations, and advice from entities or
individuals knowledgeable about access to specialty drugs, including but not limited to
consumers, patients, medical providers, pharmacists, pharmacy benefit managers,
pharmaceutical drug manufacturers, and insurers.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy submit a
written report of its findings, together with any recommendations in the form of proposed
legislation, to the Legislature of Louisiana no later than February 1, 2017.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Louisiana Board of Pharmacy.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Page 2 of 2