This morning’s edition of WorkCompCentral came with the welcome news that legislation has been introduced in the Florida state senate to cap the price of repackaged drugs at the original manufacturer’s AWP plus a dispensing fee.
The bill, which has strong backing from the Chamber of Commerce, insurers, and many employers, is an attempt to forestall a work comp premium increase driven in part by the added cost of repackaged drugs that have added 2.5 percent to employers’ premiums.
Repackaged drugs now account for over half of the drug spend in the Sunshine state, and the cost per script is more than three times what retail pharmacies would charge.
While there are powerful interests backing the bill, repackagers and companies such as AHCS are opening their wallets and unleashing their lobbyists in an attempt to forestall any action.
I don’t know what it will take legislators to pass the bill, and given Gov Rick Scott’s propensity for blind ignorance if not willfull cupidity on these matters he could well veto any bill.
In which case employers will be paying millions more to line the pockets of these repackagers and dispensing/”technology” firms.
Oct
26
Why don’t the stakeholders involved pool resources and take the fight right to the constituents with a public ad campaign urging them to contact their legislators. An open air public forum might influence the legislature to not fall prey to the behind closed doors lobbying sector.