Section 130509 Of Chapter 2. Prescription Drug Discounts From California Health And Safety Code >> Division 112. >> Chapter 2.
130509
. (a) The department may require prior authorization in the
Medi-Cal program for any drug of a manufacturer if the manufacturer
fails to agree to a volume weighted average discount for
single-source prescription drugs that is equal to or below any one of
the benchmark prices described in subdivision (a) of Section 130506
and only to the extent that this requirement does not increase costs
to the Medi-Cal program, as determined pursuant to subdivision (c).
(b) If prior authorization is required for a drug pursuant to this
section, a Medi-Cal beneficiary shall not be denied the continued
use of a drug that is part of a prescribed therapy until that drug is
no longer prescribed for that beneficiary's therapy. The department
shall approve or deny requests for prior authorization necessitated
by this section as required by state or federal law.
(c) The department, in consultation with the Department of
Finance, shall determine the fiscal impact of placing a drug on prior
authorization pursuant to this section. In making this
determination, the department shall consider all of the following:
(1) The net cost of the drug, including any rebates that would be
lost if the drug is placed on prior authorization.
(2) The projected volume of purchases of the drug, before and
after the drug is placed on prior authorization, considering the
continuity of care provisions set forth in subdivision (b).
(3) The net cost of comparable drugs to which volume would be
shifted if a drug is placed on prior authorization, including any
additional rebates that would be received.
(4) The projected volume of purchases of comparable drugs, before
and after the drug is placed on prior authorization.
(5) Any other factors determined by the department to be relevant
to a determination of the fiscal impact of placing a drug on prior
authorization.
(d) This section shall be implemented only to the extent permitted
under federal law, and in a manner consistent with state and federal
laws.
(e) This section may apply to any manufacturer that has not
negotiated with the department.
(f) The department shall notify the Speaker of the Assembly and
the President pro Tempore of the Senate that the department is
requiring prior authorization no later than five days after making
this requirement.
(g) (1) Subject to paragraph (2), this section shall be
implemented on and after August 1, 2017.
(2) This section shall be implemented only if the department
determines that participation by manufacturers has been insufficient
to meet both of the benchmarks identified in Section 130507.