(a)
It is the intent of the Legislature that the Department of General Services, University of California, and the Public Employees’ Retirement System regularly meet and share information regarding each agency’s procurement of prescription drugs in an effort to identify and implement opportunities for cost savings in connection with this procurement. It is the intent of the Legislature that the
University of California and the Public Employees’ Retirement System cooperate with the department in order to reduce each agency’s costs for prescription drugs.
(b)
The department shall do all of the following:
(1)
Share information on a regular basis with the University of California and the Public Employees’ Retirement System regarding each agency’s procurement of prescription drugs, including, but not limited to, prices paid for the same or similar drugs and information regarding drug effectiveness.
(2)
Identify opportunities for the department, the University of California, and the Public Employees’ Retirement System to consolidate drug procurement or engage in other joint activities that will result in cost savings in the procurement of prescription drugs.
(3)
Participate in at least one independent association that develops information on the relative effectiveness of prescription drugs.
(4)
Develop strategies, in consultation with the affected agencies, for the state to achieve savings through greater use of generic drugs.
(5)
No later than January 1, 2006, and annually thereafter, develop a workplan that includes, but is not limited to, a description of the department’s annual activities to reduce the state’s costs for prescription drugs and an estimate of cost savings.
(c)
Nothing in this section shall be construed to require sharing of information that is prohibited by any other provision of law or contractual agreement, or the disclosure of information that may adversely affect potential drug procurement by any state agency.