Rep. Marra, Bipartisan Drug Task Force Offer Recommendations

The four co-chairs of the legislature’s bipartisan Drug Task Force, State Representative Tracy Marra, State Senator Jeff Gordon, State Senator Matt Lesser, and State Representative Jillian Gilchrest on Tuesday held a press conference to unveil the recommendations of the Task Force included in proposed House Bill 7192.

“I am fully committed to bringing down the cost of prescriptions while maintaining access to much-needed medications, finding ways to support our small, local pharmacies and providing the best options for care for everyone in Connecticut,” Rep. Marra, a trained pharmacist said.

The Task Force is made up of a bipartisan group of legislators who were bolstered by hearing first from patients and advocates, and including expertise from pharmacists, doctors, nurses and other medical professionals, and representatives of the pharmaceutical industry.

The group discussed the proposals included in HB 7192 – An Act Implementing Recommendations of the Bipartisan Drug Task Force prior to an 11 a.m. public hearing in the Human Services Committee following the press conference.

If passed, this legislation would introduce a fiduciary requirement for any health carrier or health benefit plan sponsor which requires them “to prioritize the financial interests of plan sponsors.”  It delinks the fee for the PBM from the cost of the drug and places it as a set fee.  This will reduce the incentive of the PBM from utilizing high-cost drugs. The bill would also strengthen regulatory oversight in several areas and requires reimbursement to pharmacies at the wholesale cost.  This prevents pharmacies from being reimbursed at prices lower than they were able to pay for the medications; A practice that happens too often! In addition, it develops a mechanism to begin the state importation of Canadian medications. It offers a grant to support efforts in Connecticut to allow manufacturing drugs that are in short supply.

“Pharmacies and pharmacists are the most accessible health care we have and it’s important we find ways to support them, while also reducing the cost of prescription drugs statewide,” Rep. Marra said. “The task force carefully considered the impacts of cost, accessibility, and need and I’m pleased with the multi-faceted recommendations contained in the bill. The bottom line is that health care needs to be accessible to be effective.”

You can read more about the proposed legislation at: https://www.cga.ct.gov/2025/TOB/H/PDF/2025HB-07192-R00-HB.PDF