Sec. 17b-499a. Pharmacy outreach program. Established. Purpose. Duties. Report by Department of Social Services.
Sec. 17b-499a. Pharmacy outreach program. Established. Purpose. Duties.
Report by Department of Social Services. (a) There is established a pharmacy outreach
program, administered by participating manufacturers through a toll-free telephone
number, for the purpose of assisting residents of this state in obtaining reduced cost
or no cost prescription medications or nonprescription medications from participating
manufacturers and educating such residents about all available programs in Connecticut
relating to such medications. The department, within available appropriations, shall
oversee such program.
(b) The pharmacy outreach program shall assist eligible persons in procuring free
or low cost prescription medications or nonprescription medications by: (1) Evaluating
the likelihood that such eligible person will qualify to receive reduced cost or no cost
prescription medications or nonprescription medications from a participating manufacturer based upon such participating manufacturer's eligibility requirements for participation in such manufacturer's voluntary drug assistance program; (2) aiding eligible
persons who qualify to receive such reduced cost or no cost prescription medications
or nonprescription medications in receiving such medications from such participating
manufacturers; and (3) assisting any physician licensed in this state with communications to any such participating manufacturer that concern the application of any such
eligible person for participation in such participating manufacturer's voluntary drug
assistance program.
(c) The pharmacy outreach program shall: (1) Create and maintain a state-wide toll-free telephone number staffed by individuals who are qualified to advise eligible persons
on questions such persons may have about access to reduced cost or no cost prescription
drugs or nonprescription drugs; (2) sponsor and organize materials and information, in
conjunction with other organizations, concerning issues relating to access to affordable
prescription medications; and (3) offer and provide information on prescription medications and nonprescription medications, including, but not limited to, information on
drug interactions and drug abuse.
(d) Not later than January 15, 2006, and annually thereafter, upon the request of
the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
relating to human services and general law, the Department of Social Services shall
report, in accordance with section 11-4a, on the number of telephone calls received
by the pharmacy outreach program, the number of prescriptions requested and issued
through the program and any other information relating to the program that the department deems relevant.
(P.A. 05-269, S. 2.)
History: P.A. 05-269 effective July 13, 2005.