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i_opioidsubstance_2017a_2017-09-12t09:06:11z4 Hearing Summary

Date: 09/12/2017

Location: RM 271

Final

Pharmacy Benefit Managers



OPIOID AND OTHER SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS


Votes: View--> Action Taken:
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11:33 AM -- Pharmacy Benefit Managers




Michelle Mack, Express Scripts, and Rachel Lee, CVS Health, presented to the committee on pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) policies. Ms. Mack described policies related to opioid misuse including notification to patients, safe disposal options, notification to physicians, and limiting initial prescribing to seven days in certain cases. She explained additional Express Scripts policies including prior authorizations for short acting opioids, locking at-risk patients from pharmacy or doctor shopping, and increasing electronic prescriptions. Ms. Mack responded to a question regarding use of the PDMP.





11:40 AM



Senator Aguilar distributed information from Express Scripts on electronic prescribing (Attachment H). Ms. Lee explained the role of PBMs and the opioid crisis. She described a monitoring program to capture patterns of inappropriate prescribing and to suspend prescribing privileges. Ms. Lee discussed a pharmacy education program for youth regarding substance abuse.



17Opioid0912AttachH.pdf17Opioid0912AttachH.pdf



11:49 AM



Ms. Lee explained PBM policy recommendations including limiting opioids to a seven day supply, mandating controlled substances to electronic prescribing, supporting state take back programs, and establishing a national PDMP database. Ms. Lee and Ms. Mack responded to questions regarding federal drug take back regulations and monitoring opioid prescribers.





11:58 AM



Representative Pettersen recessed the committee.








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