You asked for information on the “I-SaveRx” prescription drug reimportation program implemented by Illinois, which is referenced in SB 1236, currently before the Public Health Committee.

PROGRAM BASICS

Illinois implemented the “I-SaveRx” prescription drug program in October 2004. It program allows Illinois residents to refill prescriptions for the most common brand-name prescription drugs used to treat chronic illnesses from a network of inspected and approved pharmacies in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. This mail order-based pharmacy program is accessible through a web site and a 24-hour toll-free telephone number. Program participants are expected to save from 25 to 50% on the cost of medications. The program also includes provisions to ensure the safety and quality of the prescriptions by requiring the inspection and approval of the pharmacies that participate. While residents throughout the state are eligible to enroll in the program, initial efforts are aimed at those without prescription drug coverage.

Illinois has contracted with a pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) for program services. I-SaveRx users are provided with a list of the program’s medications, prices in each of the countries, and enrollment

forms and guidance. It is designed so that consumers can have one-stop shopping, instead of having to contact numerous pharmacies to compare prices.

Enrollees are required to mail or fax a completed health profile form and signed prescription to the clearinghouse, which then conducts an initial scan for appropriateness, using the same drug interaction software used in Illinois pharmacies. Prescriptions that pass the interaction test are then turned over to a network physician in the country from which the medication will be dispensed who reviews and rewrites the prescription for a local network pharmacy, which performs a final safety check for dispensing (see BNA’s Health Law Reporter, October 7, 2004, p. 1439).

Another program safeguard is limiting the list of available drugs to those that are used for long periods of time and do not spoil during shipping. Also, network pharmacies can dispense only drugs intended as domestic product in Canada, Ireland, or the United Kingdom. Dispensing drugs from countries not part of I-SaveRx is prohibited.

PARTICIPATION BY OTHER STATES

Since implementation of the Illinois I-SaveRx program, Wisconsin, Missouri, Kansas, and most recently, Vermont, have joined the program. On February 17, 2005, Vermont Governor Douglas signed into law a bill (S. 49) under which Vermont will join the Illinois drug program. Under its new law, Vermont will maintain a separate website providing a link to Illinois’ www. I-SaveRx. net. In its PBM agreement, Illinois will specify that citizens with Vermont Zip Codes will be provided access to services available through the program. Health insurance or health benefit plans are required to provide coverage for drugs purchased through the program on the same terms and conditions as prescription drugs purchased in this country, according to the Vermont law (see BNA’s Health Law Reporter, February 24, 2005, p. 257). The text of the Vermont law is available at http: //www. leg. state. vt. us/docs/legdoc. cfm?URL=/docs/2006/bills/passed/S-049. HTM.

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