A. This act shall be known and may be cited as the “Oklahoma Pharmacy Connection Program”.

B. Initial implementation of the program shall target senior citizens and shall utilize the existing toll-free Senior Info-Line telephone number for senior citizen services.

C. The purpose of the Oklahoma Pharmacy Connection Program shall be to improve access to prescription drugs for citizens who have no or inadequate health insurance or other resources for the purchase of medically necessary prescription drugs by:

1. Providing a clearinghouse to assist citizens of this state to access manufacturer-sponsored prescription drug assistance programs for which they are or may be eligible;

2. Disseminating information about and advertising the program that will assist citizens with purchasing prescription drugs at a lower cost;

3. Assisting citizens with accessing pharmaceutical discount or insurance programs that may be of benefit to them;

4. Serving as a resource for pharmaceutical benefit issues; and

5. Implementing additional strategies to assist citizens to access prescription drugs as appropriate.

D. For the purposes of the Oklahoma Pharmacy Connection Program, "manufacturer-sponsored prescription drug assistance program" means a program offered by a pharmaceutical company through which the company provides a drug or drugs to eligible persons at no charge or at a substantially reduced cost. The term does not include the provision of a drug as part of a clinical trial.

Added by Laws 2002, c. 337, § 1, emerg. eff. May 30, 2002.