Connecticut Legislative Committees Reject Generic Drug Plan for Public Assistance Program Participants

The Connecticut General Assembly Appropriations, Public Health and Human Services committees on May 24 rejected a generic drug "prior authorization" plan proposed by the state health department, the Hartford Courant reports (Condon, Hartford Courant, 5/26). The proposal called for doctors to obtain prior authorization before prescribing a brand-name drug to a beneficiary of Medicaid or ConnPACE, the state's prescription drug assistance program for seniors and people with disabilities. If the doctor failed to call for approval, the pharmacist filling the prescription would have had to call. Authorization also would have been required for early refills of any prescription and for prescriptions costing more than $500 (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 5/17). A coalition of 30 groups representing physicians, psychologists, legal assistance organizations and patient advocates that had opposed the original plan has offered a list of 10 "essential" revisions. In addition, state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal (D) has written committee members calling attention to "possible conflicts" between the proposal and state and federal law, the Courant reports, while other critics point out the possible health risks for patients with HIV/AIDS or mental illness that could be at risk if "they switch from proven, name-brand drugs" to generic. State Rep. William Dyson (D) said the committees will consider a revised generic drug plan June 6 (Hartford Courant, 5/26).