A bill to establish a program of drug benefits for the aged; to establish a Drug Benefits Council and other appropriate management controls to provide for the efficient administration of such program; and to require the conducting of certain studies and experiments, to enhance the capability of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to administer such program, and for other purposes.
Drug Benefits for the Aged Act of 1979 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish a Drug Benefit Program for the Aged to pay for prescription drugs from participating pharmacies.
Directs the Secretary to establish a Drug Benefits List of prescription and nonlegend qualified drugs, limited to specified pharmacological therapeutic categories which the Secretary deems appropriate for the treatment of conditions, illnesses, or injuries to the person or well-being of aged individuals. Specifies conditions under which participating pharmacies may substitute lower cost, therapeutic equivalents for prescribed drugs.
Establishes a Drug Benefits Council to advise the Secretary on policy in general and the content and format of the drug benefits list in particular.
Sets conditions for the participation of pharmacies in the program. Prescribes criminal penalties for fraud.
Referred to House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce.
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