(a) Because the development of a vaccine now costs somewhere between twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) and forty million dollars ($40,000,000), and because the last vaccine produced and marketed did not sell well, vaccine manufacturers are hesitant to proceed to invest their resources in a risky venture. It is, therefore, in the public health interest of California to assure that manufacturers proceed to develop this vaccine and protect Californians against this dread disease and protect the State of California against the enormous fiscal costs of treatment for persons getting AIDS. It is a sound and worthwhile investment to provide a guarantee of a market to lessen the risk of loss and assure the development of an AIDS vaccine.

It is anticipated that this AIDS vaccine will consist of a three-unit series. The State of California is willing to guarantee that at least 175,000 persons will be vaccinated, and to guarantee the purchase, within three years after the FDA or the department pursuant to Part 5 (commencing with Section 109875) of Division 104 approves marketing of an AIDS vaccine, of at least 500,000 units, at a cost of no more than twenty dollars ($20) per dosage, by all companies, anywhere in the United States.

Therefore, the State of California, by moneys to be appropriated later through the Budget Act, commits itself to purchasing, at the end of three years after the FDA or the department pursuant to Part 5 (commencing with Section 109875) of Division 104 has approved the marketing on a competitive basis, at not more than twenty dollars ($20) per dosage, the difference between 500,000 units and the actual amount sold, delivered, administered, or dispensed by all companies throughout the United States, including units sold to or reimbursed by Medi-Cal, Medicare, or other public programs, providing that fewer than 500,000 units are sold, delivered, administered, or dispensed.

(b) The AIDS Vaccine Guaranteed Purchase Fund is hereby established and shall be administered by the department, which may develop necessary regulations to carry out the purpose of this section.

(c) The department may carry out this section, when those funds are appropriated through the State Budget. In determining which vaccine shall be purchased by the state from among those manufacturers selling or distributing in California, an AIDS vaccine approved by the FDA or the department pursuant to Part 5 (commencing with Section 109875) of Division 104, the department shall take into consideration at least all of the following factors:

(1) The length of time each AIDS vaccine has been in the marketplace in California.

(2) Each AIDS vaccine’s history of efficacy since approval by the FDA or the department.

(3) Each AIDS vaccine’s history of side effects experienced by previous recipients of the vaccine.

(4) The relative cost of each competing manufacturer’s AIDS vaccine.

(Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 538, Sec. 443. Effective January 1, 2007.)