Sec. 20.5. (a) The therapeutics committee is established as a subcommittee of the board.

     (b) The chairperson of the board elected under section 25 of this chapter shall, with the approval of a majority of a quorum of the board, appoint the members of the therapeutics committee.

     (c) The therapeutics committee is composed of the following members:

(1) Five (5) physicians licensed under IC 25-22.5, including:

(A) one (1) physician with expertise in the area of family practice;

(B) one (1) physician with expertise in the area of pediatrics;

(C) one (1) physician with expertise in the area of geriatrics;

(D) one (1) physician with expertise in psychiatric medicine; and

(E) one (1) physician with expertise in the area of internal medicine and who specializes in the treatment of diabetes.

(2) Two (2) pharmacists who are licensed under IC 25-26 and who have a doctor of pharmacy degree or an equivalent degree.

     (d) Not more than three (3) of the individuals appointed by the chairperson under subsection (b) to the therapeutics committee may also be members of the board.

     (e) At least three (3) of the members described in subsection (c)(1) and appointed under subsection (b) must have at least three (3) years of recent experience in prescription drug formulary management, including therapeutic category review.

     (f) A member of the therapeutics committee may not:

(1) be employed by; or

(2) contract with;

the state or a pharmaceutical manufacturer or labeler. However, this subsection does not apply to a physician or a pharmacist whose only contract with the state is a Medicaid provider agreement under IC 12-15-11 or a provider agreement under the children’s health insurance program under IC 12-17.6.

     (g) The term of a member of the therapeutics committee is three (3) years. A member may be reappointed to the committee upon the completion of the member’s term.

     (h) The expenses of the therapeutics committee shall be paid by the office.

     (i) Each member of the therapeutics committee is entitled to the minimum salary per diem provided by IC 4-10-11-2.1(b). The member is also entitled to reimbursement for traveling expenses as provided under IC 4-13-1-4 and other expenses actually incurred in connection with the member’s duties as provided in the state policies and procedures established by the Indiana department of administration and approved by the budget agency.

     (j) The affirmative votes of a majority of a quorum of the therapeutics committee are required for the committee to take action on any measure. A quorum of the therapeutics committee consists of four (4) members.

     (k) The therapeutics committee shall meet:

(1) upon the call of the chairperson of the therapeutics committee; and

(2) at least quarterly.

     (l) The chairperson and the vice chairperson of the therapeutics committee:

(1) each serve for a term of one (1) year; and

(2) must be elected from the therapeutics committee’s membership at the therapeutics committee’s first meeting each calendar year.

     (m) A meeting held by the therapeutics committee must be open to the public in accordance with IC 5-14-1.5. However, the therapeutics committee may meet in executive session only for the purpose of reviewing confidential or proprietary information.

As added by P.L.107-2002, SEC.15.