(a) If a prescription drug, medicine, biological product, pharmaceutical, or pharmaceutical service is not exempt from the gold card program under subsection (b) of this section, then a healthcare provider shall be reviewed by a healthcare insurer or pharmacy benefits manager under the gold card program for the prescription drug, medicine, biological product, pharmaceutical, or pharmaceutical service.
(b) (1) For a prescription drug, medicine, biological product, pharmaceutical, or pharmaceutical service to be exempt from the gold card program, a healthcare insurer or pharmacy benefits manager may submit a written request to the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy for approval.(2) A request under subdivision (b)(1) of this section shall state the reason the request is being made for each prescription drug, medicine, biological product, pharmaceutical, or pharmaceutical service for which exemption from the gold card program is requested.(3) The Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy and the Arkansas State Medical Board, jointly, shall establish criteria and procedures to review whether a request for exemption from the gold card program made under subdivision (b)(1) of this section should be granted.(4) The criteria established under subdivision (b)(3) of this section shall include criteria related to the cost and the safety of the prescription drug, medicine, biological product, pharmaceutical, or pharmaceutical service.(5) Under the criteria established and procedures described under subdivision (b)(3) of this section, the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy and the Arkansas State Medical Board, jointly, shall determine whether to approve a request to exempt a prescription drug, medicine, biological product, pharmaceutical, or pharmaceutical service from the gold card program.(6) The Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy shall promptly notify the entity that made the request of the joint decision made by the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy and the Arkansas State Medical Board.(7) The decision of the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy and the Arkansas State Medical Board, jointly, regarding each prescription drug, medicine, biological product, pharmaceutical, or pharmaceutical service shall apply to all healthcare insurers or pharmacy benefits managers.(8) The Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy shall post on the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy's website a list of prescription drugs, medicines, biological products, pharmaceuticals, or pharmaceutical services that are exempt from the gold card program.(9) An approval for exemption from the gold card program is valid for two (2) years from the date of the notice provided under subdivision (b)(6) of this section.
(1) For a prescription drug, medicine, biological product, pharmaceutical, or pharmaceutical service to be exempt from the gold card program, a healthcare insurer or pharmacy benefits manager may submit a written request to the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy for approval.
(2) A request under subdivision (b)(1) of this section shall state the reason the request is being made for each prescription drug, medicine, biological product, pharmaceutical, or pharmaceutical service for which exemption from the gold card program is requested.
(3) The Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy and the Arkansas State Medical Board, jointly, shall establish criteria and procedures to review whether a request for exemption from the gold card program made under subdivision (b)(1) of this section should be granted.
(4) The criteria established under subdivision (b)(3) of this section shall include criteria related to the cost and the safety of the prescription drug, medicine, biological product, pharmaceutical, or pharmaceutical service.
(5) Under the criteria established and procedures described under subdivision (b)(3) of this section, the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy and the Arkansas State Medical Board, jointly, shall determine whether to approve a request to exempt a prescription drug, medicine, biological product, pharmaceutical, or pharmaceutical service from the gold card program.
(6) The Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy shall promptly notify the entity that made the request of the joint decision made by the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy and the Arkansas State Medical Board.
(7) The decision of the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy and the Arkansas State Medical Board, jointly, regarding each prescription drug, medicine, biological product, pharmaceutical, or pharmaceutical service shall apply to all healthcare insurers or pharmacy benefits managers.
(8) The Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy shall post on the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy's website a list of prescription drugs, medicines, biological products, pharmaceuticals, or pharmaceutical services that are exempt from the gold card program.
(9) An approval for exemption from the gold card program is valid for two (2) years from the date of the notice provided under subdivision (b)(6) of this section.