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H.R. 168

Drug Benefits for the Aged Act of 1985

Drug Benefits for the Aged Act of 1985 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a Drug Benefit Program for the Aged to pay for prescription drugs for the aged 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 older 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 forth formulae and procedures for the reimbursement of participating pharmacies. Specifies conditions for program participation. Specifies general administrative procedures. Prescribes criminal penalties for fraud.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 and 1985.

Referred to Subcommittee on Health and the Environment.

Rep. Roe, Robert A. [D-NJ-8](D-NJ)Sponsor
1committees4actions10subjects
  1. CommitteeH11000

    Referred to Subcommittee on Health and the Environment.

    Health and Environment Subcommittee
  2. IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  3. IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  4. IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House