Ch. 236                                    2003 LAWS OF MARYLAND

Article - Health - General

15-124.2.

(a)     (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

(2)     "Foundation" means the Maryland Health-Care Foundation
established under § 20-502 of this article.

(3)     SECTION, "Program" means the Maryland Medbank Program
established under this section.

(b)     There is a Maryland Medbank Program.

(c)      The purpose of the Program is to improve the health status of individuals
throughout the State who lack prescription drug coverage by providing access to
medically necessary prescription drugs through patient assistance programs
sponsored by pharmaceutical drug manufacturers.

(d)     (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Program shall be
administered by the Foundation DEPARTMENT MEDBANK OF MARYLAND, INC.

(2) The Foundation DEPARTMENT MEDBANK OF MARYLAND, INC. shall
contract with one or more government or nonprofit entities to operate the Program.

(e)     (1) The administration and operation of the Program shall be funded
through a grant provided by the Department.

(2) Program funds may be used in part to:

(I)       [purchase] PURCHASE interim supplies of prescription drugs
for enrollees who have applied to participate in a manufacturer's patient assistance
program but have not yet received the approved prescription drug; AND

(II)     DISTRIBUTE MEDICATION TO ENROLLEES WHO HAVE BEEN
APPROVED TO PARTICIPATE IN A MANUFACTURER'S PATIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

(f)      (1) The Foundation DEPARTMENT MEDBANK OF MARYLAND, INC. shall
ensure that the Program is available to residents in each of the following geographic
regions of the State:

(i) Western Maryland;

(ii) The Eastern Shore;

(iii) The Baltimore metropolitan area;

(iv) The Maryland counties in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan
area; and

(v) Southern Maryland, including Anne Arundel County.

(2) The Foundation DEPARTMENT shall use Medbank of Maryland, Inc.
and the Western Maryland Prescription Program as the regional offices for the

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