BILL NUMBER:  S6689

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the social services law, in relation
to not for profit pharmacies operated by an institution of higher
education

 PURPOSE :

This bill enables patients to use a not-for-profit pharmacy operated
by an institution of higher education located in a low income or
medically underserved area for their pharmacy care and to provide
pharmacy students with experience working in underserved areas.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section 1 adds a new subdivision 34 to section 364-j of social
services law and provides that patients with a Medicaid Managed Care
plan can use a not-for-profit pharmacy operated by an institution of
higher education located in a low income or medically underserved area
for their pharmacy care.

Section 2 provides an effective date.

 JUSTIFICATION :

New York has two not-for-profit pharmacies operated by an institution
              

of higher education located in Albany and Schenectady counties. Such
pharmacies offer the dual benefit of improving access to pharmacy and
related health care services in medically underserved communities
while providing a distinct, innovative learning experience for
students pursuing the pharmacist profession. The mission of these
pharmacies is to bring pharmacy care and related services to medically
underserved populations. This can lead to greater medication
adherence, improved health outcomes and lower hospitalization rates
with fewer emergency room visits as a result. A 2016 study by the
Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy found that integrating
pharmacies and medical services in the community could lead to
significant cost savings of $58 per member per month, approximately
$700,000 per 1,000 patients annually. The convenient location of these
pharmacies removes barriers for obtaining medication such as
transportation, which reduces the need for other expensive health care
services, saving patients and the health care system money in the long
term.

The not-for-profit pharmacies also provide pharmacy students with the
unique experience of serving communities that may have limited access
to medical care. Pharmacists who are given experience working in
underserved areas will have a greater understanding and appreciation
of the needs of those who live in such areas, increasing the
likelihood that they will decide to work with these communities after
completing their studies.

Ensuring that patients have choice and the ability to utilize the
unique and accessible services of such not-for-profit pharmacies is
critical. Bringing accessible health care to medically underserved
communities is a priority in New York State and the mission of these
pharmacies.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

New bill.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS :

None to the state.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law; provided that the commissioner of health shall make
regulations and take other actions reasonably necessary to implement
this act on such date; and provided, however, that the amendments to
section 364-j of the social services law made by section one of this
act shall not affect the repeal of such section and shall be deemed
repealed therewith.