[May 25, 2005]

      States this year have considered more than 500 prescription drug bills and resolutions -- a 47% increase from 2004 -- as they "grapple with the rising cost" of medications, according to a recent report released by the National Conference of State Legislatures, CQ HealthBeat reports. The report also found:

• 21 states this year have considered legislation that would allow residents to reimport lower-cost prescription drugs from other nations;
   
• 12 states this year have considered bills that would increase oversight of prescription drug wholesalers to address the issue of counterfeit medications and prevent illegal sales of treatments;
   
• 12 states this year have enacted laws to align their prescription drug programs for seniors with the new Medicare prescription drug benefit, which takes effect on Jan. 1, 2006, and 41 states have considered such legislation. In 2004, 21 states considered such bills;
   
• At least 12 states have considered bills that would establish prescription drug formularies for their Medicaid programs, and 10 states have considered legislation to encourage the use of generic medications; and
   
• 16 states have considered bills that would require more transparency in clinical trials of medications.

According to the report, some states -- such as Arkansas, Montana and New Mexico -- have implemented programs that provide prescription drug coverage to residents younger than age 65. The New Mexico program does not have an income eligibility requirement (CQ HealthBeat, 5/24).

“Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork.org. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at www.kaisernetwork.org/dailyreports/healthpolicy   The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork.org, a free service of the Kaiser Family Foundation, by National Journal Group Inc. © 2005 by National Journal Group Inc. and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.”