14105.3. (Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 23, Sec. 60.)

(a) The department is considered to be the purchaser, but not the dispenser or distributor, of prescribed drugs under the Medi-Cal program for the purpose of enabling the department to obtain from manufacturers of prescribed drugs the most favorable price for those drugs furnished by one or more manufacturers, based upon the large quantity of the drugs purchased under the Medi-Cal program, and to enable the department, notwithstanding any other provision of state law, to obtain from the manufacturers discounts, rebates, or refunds based on the quantities purchased under the program, insofar as may be permissible under federal law. Nothing in this section shall interfere with usual and customary distribution practices in the drug industry.

(b) The department may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts on a bid or negotiated basis with manufacturers, distributors, dispensers, or suppliers of appliances, durable medical equipment, medical supplies, and other product-type health care services and with laboratories for clinical laboratory services for the purpose of obtaining the most favorable prices to the state and to assure adequate quality of the product or service. Except as provided in subdivision (f), this subdivision shall not apply to prescribed drugs dispensed by pharmacies licensed pursuant to Article 7 (commencing with Section 4110) of Chapter 9 of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code.

(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), the department may not enter into a contract with a clinical laboratory unless the clinical laboratory operates in conformity with Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 1200) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code and the regulations adopted thereunder, and Section 263a of Title 42 of the United States Code and the regulations adopted thereunder.

(d) The department shall contract with manufacturers of single-source drugs on a negotiated basis, and with manufacturers of multisource drugs on a bid or negotiated basis.

(e) In order to ensure and improve access by Medi-Cal beneficiaries to both hearing aid appliances and provider services, and to ensure that the state obtains the most favorable prices, the department, by June 30, 2008, shall enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts, on a bid or negotiated basis, for purchasing hearing aid appliances.

(f) In order to provide specialized care in the distribution of specialized drugs, as identified by the department and that include, but are not limited to, blood factors and immunizations, the department may enter into contracts with providers licensed to dispense dangerous drugs or devices pursuant to Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 4000) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code, for programs that qualify for federal funding pursuant to the Medicaid state plan, or waivers, and the programs authorized by Article 5 (commencing with Section 123800) of Chapter 3 of Part 2 of, and Article 1 (commencing with Section 125125) of Chapter 2 of Part 5 of, Division 106 of the Health and Safety Code, in accordance with this subdivision.

(1) The department shall, for purposes of ensuring proper patient care, consult current standards of practice when executing a provider contract.

(2) The department shall, for purposes of ensuring quality of care to people with unique conditions requiring specialty drugs, contract with a nonexclusive number of providers that meet the needs of the affected population, covers all geographic regions in California, and reflects the distribution of the specialty drug in the community. The department may use a single provider in the event the product manufacturer designates a sole-source delivery mechanism. The department shall consult with interested parties and appropriate stakeholders in implementing this section with respect to all of the following:

(A) Notifying stakeholder representatives of the potential inclusion or exclusion of drugs in the specialty pharmacy program.

(B) Allowing for written input regarding the potential inclusion or exclusion of drugs into the specialty pharmacy program.

(C) Scheduling at least one public meeting regarding the potential inclusion or exclusion of drugs into the specialty pharmacy program.

(D) Obtaining a recommendation from the Medi-Cal Drug Utilization Review Advisory Committee, established pursuant to Section 1927 of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396r-8), on the inclusion or exclusion of drugs into the specialty pharmacy program distribution based on clinical best practices related to each drug considered.

(3) For purposes of this subdivision, the definition of “blood factors” has the same meaning as that term is defined in Section 14105.86.

(4) The department shall make every reasonable effort to ensure all medically necessary clotting factor therapies are available for the treatment of people with bleeding disorders.

(g) The department may contract with an intermediary to establish provider contracts pursuant to this section for programs that qualify for federal funding pursuant to the Medicaid state plan, or waivers, and the programs authorized by Article 5 (commencing with Section 123800) of Chapter 3 of Part 2 of, and Article 1 (commencing with Section 125125) of Chapter 2 of Part 5 of, Division 106 of the Health and Safety Code.

(h) In carrying out contracting activity for this or any section associated with the Medi-Cal list of contract drugs, notwithstanding Section 19130 of the Government Code, the department may contract, either directly or through the fiscal intermediary, for pharmacy consultant staff necessary to accomplish the contracting process or treatment authorization request reviews. The fiscal intermediary contract, including any contract amendment, system change pursuant to a change order, and project or systems development notice shall be exempt from Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code and any policies, procedures, or regulations authorized by these provisions.

(i) In order to achieve maximum cost savings, the Legislature hereby determines that an expedited contract process for contracts under this section is necessary. Therefore, contracts under this section shall be exempt from Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 10290) of Part 2 of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code.