SENATE BILL 354

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Jeff Steinborn and Joanne J. Ferrary

AN ACT

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT; ESTABLISHING THE INTERAGENCY PHARMACEUTICALS PURCHASING COUNCIL; PROVIDING FOR COORDINATED PROCUREMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS AND PHARMACEUTICAL BENEFITS AMONG CERTAIN STATE AGENCIES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES AND FOR REPORTING.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. [NEW MATERIAL] INTERAGENCY PHARMACEUTICALS PURCHASING COUNCIL--CREATION--MEMBERSHIP--DUTIES.--

          A. The "interagency pharmaceuticals purchasing council" is created and is administratively attached to the general services department. Beginning January 1, 2019, the council shall utilize existing constituent agency resources to review and coordinate cost-containment strategies for the procurement of pharmaceuticals and pharmacy benefits and the pooling of risk for pharmacy services by the constituent agencies. The secretary of general services shall serve as director of the council and shall be responsible for the coordination of the day-to-day activities of the council.

          B. The interagency pharmaceuticals purchasing council shall be composed of the following eleven members serving as voting, ex-officio members:

                (1) the secretary of human services or the secretary's designee;

                (2) the secretary of health or the secretary's designee;

                (3) the secretary of children, youth and families or the secretary's designee;

                (4) the secretary of corrections or the secretary's designee;

                (5) the director of the risk management division of the general services department;

                (6) the executive director of the retiree health care authority;

                (7) the executive director of the public school insurance authority;

                (8) the superintendent of the Albuquerque public school district or the superintendent's designee;

                (9) the president of the university of New Mexico or the president's designee; and

                (10) two members, appointed by the governor, who are officers of, or representative of organizations that represent, county, municipal or local government entities that participate in consolidated purchasing of pharmaceuticals or pharmacy benefits with other constituent agencies.

          C. The interagency pharmaceuticals purchasing council shall convene its first meeting by December 1, 2017 at the call of the secretary of general services. After the initial meeting of the council, the council shall meet at least once quarterly at the call of the secretary of general services.

          D. The presence of a majority of voting members of the interagency pharmaceuticals purchasing council constitutes a quorum. The affirmative vote of a majority of a quorum present shall be necessary for an action to be taken by the council.

          E. The interagency pharmaceuticals purchasing council shall utilize existing constituent agency resources to review and coordinate cost-containment strategies for the procurement of pharmaceuticals and pharmacy benefits and the pooling of risk for pharmacy services by the constituent agencies. As resources allow, the cost-containment strategies that the council shall examine are:

                (1) the benchmarking of pricing for pharmaceuticals and pharmacy benefits to:

                     (a) the pricing that the state's medical assistance plans achieve for pharmaceuticals and pharmacy benefits; and

                     (b) the pricing that the United States department of veterans affairs achieves for pharmaceuticals and pharmacy benefits;

                (2) active medical management to optimize health outcomes and reduce costs;

                (3) the establishment of a common formulary for all pharmaceuticals and pharmacy benefits plans offered by constituent agencies;

                (4) a single purchase agreement for all constituent agencies' pharmaceuticals and pharmacy benefits;

                (5) common procurement of expert services, including, at minimum, pharmacy benefits management, pharmacy benefits management oversight services, medical direction and actuarial services;

                (6) identifying any opportunities to consolidate purchasing among two or more constituent agencies;

                (7) identifying any opportunities for pooling risk among two or more constituent agencies or populations the constituent agencies serve;

                (8) identifying any opportunities for consolidating purchasing with other entities and states of the United States;

                (9) ensuring that all agencies, programs, clinics, hospitals and other health-related centers and entities, including those identified by the human services department pursuant to Paragraph (3) of Subsection A of Section 27-2-12.13 NMSA 1978, that are eligible for pharmaceutical discounts pursuant to Section 340B of the federal Public Health Service Act participate in that Section 340B federal pharmaceutical price discount program;

                (10) identifying any opportunities for maximizing the use of generic pharmaceuticals where safe and cost-effective to do so;

                (11) negotiating advantageous pricing and incentives with insurers, pharmacy benefits managers, pharmacies, manufacturers, distributors and vendors of pharmaceuticals and other third-party entities involved in supplying pharmaceuticals, pharmacy benefits and management services to the council's constituent entities; and 

                (12) identifying any other opportunities for maximizing efficiency and a high standard of health care quality.

          F. The legislative finance committee shall annually review and validate the council's progress. It shall incorporate this information into its budget and policy analysis and recommendations.

          G. As used in this section, "constituent agency" means:

                (1) the human services department, including any medical assistance program it administers;

                (2) the department of health;

                (3) the children, youth and families department;

                (4) the corrections department;

                (5) the risk management division of the general services department;

                (6) the retiree health care authority;

                (7) the public school insurance authority;

                (8) the publicly funded health care program of the Albuquerque public school district;

                (9) the university of New Mexico health benefits program for university employees and retirees;

                (10) the university of New Mexico hospitals; or

                (11) any local, county or municipal government that opts to participate in consolidated pharmaceuticals or pharmacy benefit purchasing.

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