§346-312.5  Rx plus preferred drug list. 
(a)  The department shall establish an Rx plus preferred drug list that
includes but is not limited to:



(1)  Drugs listed on the State's medicaid preferred
drug list;



(2)  Antipsychotic drugs;



(3)  Antidepressant drugs;



(4)  Chemotherapy drugs;



(5)  Antiretroviral drugs;



(6)  Immunosuppressive drugs; and



(7)  Any other drugs listed on the Rx plus preferred
drug list pursuant to this section.



(b)  The pharmacy and therapeutic committee shall review
and recommend drugs for placement on the Rx
plus preferred drug list, striving to identify the safest and most efficacious drugs
that are available at the lowest cost.  The committee's recommendations may take into consideration
any of the following factors:



(1)  Therapeutic value for the disease or
condition under treatment;



(2)  Clinical efficacy;



(3)  Safety;



(4)  Cost; and



(5)  Other relevant factors as determined by the
committee.



(c)  When considering categories of drugs designed to treat
specialized chronic medical conditions and diseases, the committee shall
consult with physicians and other health care professionals with specialized
clinical knowledge and expertise in this area, either in their capacity as
consultants serving on a subcommittee of the committee, or as physicians or
pharmacists with a practice or specialty in chronic diseases.



(d)  The determination of a drug's safety and efficacy shall be
consistent with the standards set forth in the peer-reviewed literature and
other available sources, including but not limited to:



(1)  The
American Hospital Formulary Service Drug Information;



(2)  The
United States Pharmacopoeia Drug Information;



(3)  The
DRUGDEX System; and



(4)  The American Medical
Association Drug Evaluations.



(e)  The determination of a drug's net cost shall consider the
pharmacy reimbursement amount authorized under section 346-317, as adjusted by
manufacturer's rebates to be paid to the department.  The committee shall
determine that a drug has no significant clinical or safety advantages over one
or more alternative drugs when used for a given purpose before it may consider
the drug's net cost. [L 2004, c 47, pt of §1; am L 2005, c 22, §20]