Vermont § 4651 - Wholesale importation program for prescription drugs; design

§ 4651. Wholesale importation program for prescription drugs; design

• (a) The Agency of Human Services, in consultation with interested stakeholders and appropriate
  federal officials, shall design a wholesale prescription drug importation program
  that complies with the applicable requirements of 21 U.S.C. § 384, including the requirements regarding safety and cost savings. The program design
  shall: (1) designate a State agency that shall either become a licensed drug wholesaler or contract
  with a licensed drug wholesaler in order to seek federal certification and approval
  to import safe prescription drugs and provide significant prescription drug cost savings
  to Vermont consumers; (2) use Canadian prescription drug suppliers regulated under the laws of Canada or of
  one or more Canadian provinces, or both; (3) ensure that only prescription drugs meeting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s
  safety, effectiveness, and other standards shall be imported by or on behalf of the
  State; (4) import only those prescription drugs expected to generate substantial savings for
  Vermont consumers; (5) ensure that the program complies with the tracking and tracing requirements of 21 U.S.C. §§ 360eee and 360eee-1 to the extent feasible and practical prior to imported drugs coming into the possession
  of the State wholesaler and that it complies fully after imported drugs are in the
  possession of the State wholesaler; (6) prohibit the distribution, dispensing, or sale of imported products outside Vermont’s
  borders; (7) recommend a charge per prescription or another method of support to ensure that the
  program is funded adequately in a manner that does not jeopardize significant consumer
  savings; and (8) include a robust audit function. (b) On or before January 1, 2019, the Secretary of Human Services shall submit the proposed
  design for a wholesale prescription drug importation program to the House Committees
  on Health Care and on Ways and Means and the Senate Committees on Health and Welfare
  and on Finance. (Added 2017, No. 133 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 21, 2018.)