When state legislatures tire of waiting for federal action, they often begin to take the initiative themselves.
For example, consider that while legislation has been introduced into Congress to affect the FDA Office of Drug Safety, there is legislation being considered in California that would create their own Office of Drug Safety. Several other safety-related bills exist also.
The National Conference of State Legislatures has put together a great report that overviews state proposals that affect prescription drugs. The report includes a look at a whopping 400 bills in 40 states.
Of note:
- 12 states will be entertaining legislation to regulate drug importation – California, Georgia, Kentucky Maine, Minnesota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia and Washington;
- 18 states have proposals affecting marketing or advertising – California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin;
- 14 states will consider regulations of pharmaceutical benefit managers – Alabama, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Virginia.
The tracking report was last updated on March 21, 2006 and will be updated by NCSL regularly. As we enter the election cycle, it will certainly be worth watching.
Tomorrow, we’ll look at how some of these state proposals may affect the pharma market.
