The original instrument was prepared by Christine Arbo Peck. The following digest,
which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was prepared by
McHenry Lee.
DIGEST
SB 59 Reengrossed 2017 Regular Session Mills
Proposed law requires the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy to develop a website to contain prescription
drug information to be made available to prescribers on the board's website with a dedicated link that
is prominently displayed on the board's home page, or by a separate easily identifiable Internet
address.
Proposed law requires that the website include certain data elements separated by therapeutic
category.
Proposed law provides that when a pharmaceutical marketer engages in any form of prescription
drug marketing in the state directly to a prescriber, his designee, or any member of his staff, the
marketer may disclose the website Internet address and inform the prescriber that he may access the
website to obtain information on the cost of prescription drugs.
Proposed law provides the board with the authority to enter into a contract for the administration of
proposed law.
Proposed law provides that each health profession licensing board that regulates individuals with
prescriptive authority in the state must advise their licensees at least once annually of the opportunity
to access this website.
Proposed law defines "average wholesale price", "pharmaceutical marketer", "prescription drug",
"prescription drug marketing", and "prescriber".
Proposed law provides that the implementation of proposed law is contingent upon the board
obtaining grant funds from a private entity for the development, implementation, operation, and
continued maintenance of the drug pricing disclosure website.
Effective upon signature of the governor or upon lapse of gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 37:1251)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Health and Welfare to the
original bill 1. Removes requirement of a standardized form that the pharmaceutical marketers must
complete and present to the prescriber when they present other marketing materials
to the prescriber.
2. Removes requirements that the Louisiana Department of Health develop a form,
promulgate rules, and maintain the form on their website.
3. Removes penalty provision that made violations a prohibited practice under the
Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.
Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill
1. Removes requirements that a pharmaceutical marketer disclose average wholesale
pricing information to a prescriber.
2. Adds provision for the disclosure of prescription drug price information via the La.
Board of Pharmacy's website.
3. Adds requirement that implementation of proposed law is dependent on the receipt
of grant funds from a private entity for the development, operation, and maintenance
of the board's website.