E44CC2372B7A703F87258393007F267F Hearing Summary

Senator Ginal and Senator Rodriguez, bill sponsors, presented Senate Bill 19-005. The bill requires the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to design a wholesale importation program for prescription pharmaceutical products from Canada and, subject to federal approval, to implement this program, making wholesale imported prescription pharmaceutical products from Canada available to Colorado consumers.  The bill specifies certain safety, quality, and pricing requirements that must be met by the program. HCPF must present a draft report on the program design to the General Assembly by January 1, 2020, post the report on its website, and hold two public meetings — one in the Denver metropolitan area and one on the Western Slope. By April 15, 2020, HCPF must prepare a final report, post the report on its website, and submit it to the General Assembly. By May 1, 2020, HCPF must submit the final report to the federal government for approval of the program. If federal approval of the program is received, the bill authorizes HCPF to operate the program and to charge a fee on prescription pharmaceuticals purchased through the program to cover the costs of the program. The bill specifies that HCPF must select one or more wholesaler to operate the program through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process. HCPF must report to the General Assembly by January 1, 2022, and each January 1 thereafter, on the implementation of the program, including which prescription pharmaceuticals were imported and the savings to consumers.

Committee members dialogued with Senators Ginal and Rodriguez.

Cathy Traugott, HCPF, testified in support of the bill and responded to questions.

Paul Ritzma, HCPF, responded to questions.

Ms. Traugott and Mr. Ritzma responded to questions. Senator Ginal distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment D).  Committee questions followed.

Committee discussion and questions continued.

Jennifer Jones Paton, Colorado Bioscience Association, testified in opposition to the bill and distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment E).

Kara Miller, Biotechnology Innovation Organization, testified in opposition to the bill.

Ms. Miller and Ms. Jones Paton responded to questions.

Dana Malick, PhRma, testified in opposition to the bill.

Nicolas Colglazier, Colorado Competitive Council, testified in opposition to the bill.

Bill Skewes, Colorado Chamber of Commerce, testified in opposition to the bill.

Ruth Parker, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Ed Shackelford, Colorado Senior Lobby, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Shirley Leow, AARP Colorado, testified in support of the bill and distributed a handout (Attachment F).

Henry "Sonny" Lawrence, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Gail DeVore, Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, testified in support of the bill and responded to questions.

Senator Ginal distributed amendment L.001, L002, L003, L.005, L.006, L.007, L.010, L011, and L.012 to the committee (Attachments G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, and O).

Senator Smallwood distributed amendment L.004 to the committee (Attachment P).