State Pharmacy Assistance Programs and Supplemental Programs

Most states currently have State Pharmacy Assistance Programs (SPAPs) or Supplemental Programs (SUPPs) in place, some states have several of these programs in place, and even more have legislation in place that will implement new programs in the near future. Though there is no one distinct type of SPAP or SUPP, there is one guiding principle: states have programs in place to provide prescription drugs to certain individuals or classes of individuals at discounted prices. Traditionally, SPAPs are programs geared toward the elderly or disabled and in a sense, provide prescription drug benefits mimicking those provided under Medicare. Other state programs offer prescription drugs to different groups of people (children, HIV/AIDS patients, etc.) at discounted prices, and these are commonly referred to as SUPPs.

Regardless of how we classify these Programs or name them, the sine qua non of all these programs is discounted drug pricing. Therefore, the manufacturer needs to be aware of these programs and their requirements in order to comply. If history is any indication, you can be certain that more and more states will implement programs of this nature and continue to refine them, following the Federal model.

CIS can assist you in keeping abreast of the current and latest State Program developments and requirements and assist you in meeting those requirements.