(1) In order to implement strategies recommended by the total cost of insulin work group established in RCW 70.14.160, the health care authority may:

(a) Become or designate a state agency that shall become a drug wholesaler licensed under RCW 18.64.046;

(b) Become or designate a state agency that shall become a pharmacy benefit manager registered under *RCW 19.340.030; or

(c) Purchase prescription drugs on behalf of the state directly from other states or in coordination with other states.

(2) In addition to the authorities granted in subsection (1) of this section, if the total cost of insulin work group established in RCW 70.14.160 determines that all or a portion of the strategies may be implemented without statutory changes, the health care authority and the prescription drug purchasing consortium described in RCW 70.14.060 shall begin implementation without further legislative direction.

*Reviser’s note: RCW 19.340.030 was repealed by 2020 c 240 § 19, effective January 1, 2022.

Intent—2020 c 346: “(1) The legislature recognizes that:

(a) Insulin is a lifesaving drug and is critical to the management of diabetes as it helps patients control their blood sugar levels;

(b) According to Yale researchers, one-quarter of patients with Type 1 or 2 diabetes have reported using less insulin than prescribed due to the high cost of insulin;

(c) The first insulin patent in the United States was awarded in 1923 and the first synthetic insulin arrived on the market in 1978; and

(d) The price and utilization of insulin has steadily increased, making it one of the costliest prescription drugs in the state. According to the Washington all-payer claims database, the allowable costs before rebates for health carriers in the state have increased eighty-seven percent since 2014, and per member out-of-pocket costs have increased an average of eighteen percent over the same time period.

(2) Therefore, the legislature intends to review, consider, and pursue several strategies with the goal of reducing the cost of insulin in Washington.” [ 2020 c 346 § 1.]