HOUSE MEMORIAL 80
49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009
INTRODUCED BY
Mimi Stewart
A MEMORIAL
REQUESTING THE RETIREE HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY TO INVESTIGATE THE FEASIBILITY OF ADDING A MAIL-ORDER PROGRAM OF IMPORTATION OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS TO THE DISCOUNT PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM.
WHEREAS, the retiree health care authority has the statutory responsibility to administer the discount prescription drug program; andWHEREAS, the cost of brand name prescription drugs remains prohibitively expensive for some New Mexicans; and
WHEREAS, some of the most expensive brand name prescription drugs are taken on a regular basis over long periods of time to manage chronic illnesses; and
WHEREAS, certain mail-order pharmacies that operate outside the United States, in Canada and the United Kingdom, are able to provide a majority of name brand medications to citizens of the United States at a lower cost than what is paid in New Mexico in the retail setting; and
WHEREAS, a number of states have established initiatives to use an internet-based, mail-order program to allow their residents to import prescription drugs from Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the retiree health care authority be requested to investigate the feasibility of providing a mail-order component to the discount prescription drug program that includes the importation of prescription drugs from Canada and the United Kingdom; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the investigation address any legal impediments as well as a quantitative analysis of the potential cost savings of implementing such a program; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the retiree health care authority present a report on the results of its investigation to the interim legislative health and human services committee at its November 2009 meeting; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico retiree health care authority.
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