2002 SESSION

02-3179

01/09

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 4

ANALYSIS

This senate concurrent resolution urges the federal Food and Drug Administration to require pharmaceutical companies to use a common application to streamline the application process for prescription drug patient assistance programs.

This resolution is a result of 2000, 208:6 (SB 367) as extended by 2001, 51:1.

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02-3179

01/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Two

Whereas, the nation's pharmaceutical companies created patient assistant programs to ease the financial strain of pharmaceutical purchases, particularly for elderly and low income persons; and

Whereas, there are over 100 pharmaceutical companies that participate in some sort of patient assistance program, each with their own application and documentation requirements; and

Whereas, many people eligible to participate in a patient assistance program are on more than one medication from different pharmaceutical companies; and

Whereas, multiple pharmaceutical applications require time consuming and confusing processes; and

Whereas, multiple applications restrict participation due to the difficulty in duplication of effort; and

Whereas, a common application would streamline the application process and make administration easier, which would encourage health care practitioners to participate in such programs; and

Whereas, less time spent in administrative work allows practitioners more time to spend in patient care; and

Whereas, a common application may reduce the instance of over-medication and cross-medication; and

Whereas, New Hampshire's Medication Bridges Program has created a common application which if adopted nationally will avoid antitrust concerns; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the New Hampshire general court hereby urges the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration in consultation with the Federal Trade Commission, to require pharmaceutical companies to establish and use a common application for their prescription drug patient assistance programs; and

That copies of this resolution be forwarded by the senate clerk to the President of the United States, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the President of the United States Senate, the members of the New Hampshire congressional delegation, the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, the commissioners of the Federal Trade Commission, the executive director of the National Conference of State Legislatures, the president of the Council of State Governments, and the chairperson of the Northeast Prescription Drug Access Committee.