During its regular 2021 session, the Washington State Legislature passed two bills regarding the production or purchasing, distribution, and access of pharmaceuticals:
- Senate Bill 5195 directs the Washington Health Care Authority (HCA) to establish a bulk purchasing and distribution program for naloxone, an “opioid overdose reversal medication,” (RCW 70.14.170).
- Senate Bill 5203 directs the HCA to establish partnerships to produce, distribute or purchase insulin and generic prescription drugs (RCW 70.14.065).
The HCA solicited feedback from interested parties on two separate occasions (October 2021 and February 2022) on how the HCA could move forward in developing these new programs and to identify needed guiding principles. That feedback helped inform the HCA on drafting potential policy approaches for this survey. Several key themes emerged from the first two surveys:
- Ensure access for socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
- Focus on affordability and minimizing disruption and complexity.
- Build on current infrastructure where possible.
The HCA is now seeking additional feedback from interested parties specific to the potential policy approaches the state could pursue for both insulin and naloxone. The HCA created a survey where you can provide input regarding these potential policy approaches.
The survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete and will be open through April 18, 2022. The HCA appreciates your time and insights.
(This is a guest article from HCA NW Prescription Drug Consortium Operations Manager Leta Evaskus)
