The Florida legislature today passed House Bill 559 sponsored by Representative Cord Byrd, which establishes the authority for a nursing home to create an institutional formulary for the appropriate substitution of prescription drugs. Senator Aaron Bean sponsored the companion bill in the Florida Senate.
David Rombro, RPh., CEO of Polaris Pharmacy Services said, “The cost of prescription drugs have skyrocketed over the years and these increases often impact senior populations. This legislation will help increase patient access to affordable prescription drug options while ensuring regulatory oversight to protect our most vulnerable populations. Drug formularies are a good step towards helping decrease health care costs overall and we are proud to have supported this legislation from day one.
“This bill is especially important considering widespread concerns with drops in drug supplies. When it’s easier to access a variety of prescription drugs, supply becomes less of a concern.”
Polaris Pharmacy Services, a Florida-based company, has supported this legislation as well as House bill 177, that will create a new program to facilitate the donation of prescription drugs and supplies to eligible patients, from the start. These two bills together allow for greater access to life-saving medications at a lower cost. Both bills now head to Governor Ron DeSantis for signature.
