Utah Senate approves bill to establish Medicaid preferred drugs

The Utah Senate on Wednesday unanimously approved a bill (SB 42) that would establish a preferred drug list for the state Medicaid program, the Deseret Morning News reports.

The state Department of Health estimates that a preferred drug list eventually could save the state $8 million to $10 million annually, although the amount of savings could be affected by an amendment that would allow physicians to write a "dispense as written" clause on prescriptions to prevent substitutions with generic equivalents.

State Sen. Allen Christensen (R), who sponsored the bill and did not support the amendment, said the amendment would have a "detrimental effect" on the original purpose of the legislation.

"The bill is all about ... savings," Christensen said.

He said he would have the fiscal note for the bill revised and attempt to bring the legislation back to the floor for a second vote.

Supporters of the amendment, which was sponsored by state Sen. Sheldon Killpack (R), said it is "necessary to preserve physicians' ability to work with their patients," the Morning News reports.

According to the Morning News, Utah physicians have not raised concerns that the bill would limit their treatment options.

The Utah Medical Association and Gov. John Huntsman (R) support the bill (Welling, Deseret Morning News, 1/25).