1.  On or before February 1 of each year, the Department shall compile:

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(a) A list of prescription drugs that the Department determines to be essential for treating diabetes in this State and the wholesale acquisition cost of each such drug on the list. The list must include, without limitation, all forms of insulin and biguanides marketed for sale in this State.

(b) A list of prescription drugs described in paragraph (a) that have been subject to an increase in the wholesale acquisition cost of a percentage equal to or greater than:

(1) The percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index, Medical Care Component during the immediately preceding calendar year; or

(2) Twice the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index, Medical Care Component during the immediately preceding 2 calendar years.

(c) A list of prescription drugs with a wholesale acquisition cost exceeding $40 for a course of therapy that have been subject to an increase in the wholesale acquisition cost of a percentage equal to or greater than:

(1) Ten percent during the immediately preceding calendar year; or

(2) Twenty percent during the immediately preceding 2 calendar years.

2.  As used in this section, ‘course of therapy’ means:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b), the recommended daily dosage of a prescription drug, as set forth on the label for the prescription drug approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, for 30 days.

(b) If the normal course of treatment using a prescription drug is less than 30 days, the recommended daily dosage of a prescription drug, as set forth on the label for the prescription drug approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, for the duration of the recommended course of treatment.