Committee OKs generic drug bill

Tuesday, April 8, 2003 | 8:43 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A bill that would make it easier for pharmacists to sell generic drugs has been approved by the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee.

Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, said Monday that the average cost of a generic drug was $24.63 last year, compared to a brand name at $80.12.

She said Senate Bill 387 benefits consumers, insurance companies, managed care organizations and the state and local governments that pay the premiums for drug programs.

Jay Parmer, representing Barr Laboratories of New York, which manufacturers both proprietary and generic drugs, said SB387 would benefit consumers. As patents on name-brand drugs expired, more generic drugs can take their place, he said.

The bill allows a doctor to order that the brand name drug be dispensed, and the consumer doesn't have to take the generic drug.

Parmer said the bill should provide a big savings for the Medicaid program, which spends millions of dollars on drugs each year.

Titus said it would put an end to the "cozy relationships" between some drug companies and physicians who might prescribe a certain drug because of a relationship with the drug manufacturers.

The committee, however, rejected a proposal by Titus to require drug manufacturers to report on the gifts, subsidies or payments made to physicians.