News Releases for April 2003
April 15, 2003
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Hoeven, Legislators Launch Program To Help Hold Down Prescription Drug Costs
Hoeven Signs Prior Authorization Bill
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today signed House Bill 1430, which creates a drug use review board and prior authorizations program for Medicaid drugs to help control the cost of prescription medications. The bill’s sponsors, Reps. William Devlin, Clara Sue Price and Robin Weisz, and Sens. Judy Lee and Tom Fischer joined Hoeven.
The purpose of the program is to promote efficiency and savings in the Department of Human Service to eligible Medicaid recipients by ensuring that the drugs used by Medicaid recipients are the safest, most effective and least expensive available.
“This is an important step to better manage the high cost of prescription drugs,” Hoeven said. “By identifying cost-effective medications, we can provide clients with necessary drugs at a much reduced cost to the taxpayer. I commend the Legislature and the Department of Human Services for working together to find a solution that works for the people of North Dakota.”
Rep. Judy Lee of West Fargo, a cosponsor of the bill, said, “House Bill 1430 will permit the Department of Human Services to serve more people by managing the cost of prescription drugs.”
The bill will create and implement a drug use review program for outpatient prescription drugs under Medicaid. The board will recommend to the Department of Human Services any drugs to be included on prior authorization status, meaning that these medications will have to be demonstrably effective.
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