US Lawyer Database

Section 15-1633 – When Request Allowed

    A pharmacy benefits manager or its agent may not request a therapeutic interchange unless:         (1)    the proposed therapeutic interchange is for medical reasons that benefit the beneficiary; or         (2)    the proposed therapeutic interchange will result in financial savings and benefits to the purchaser or the beneficiary.

Section 15-1634 – Authorization; Disclosures; Money-Saving Claims; Payment for Interchange

    (a)    Before making a therapeutic interchange, a pharmacy benefits manager or its agent shall obtain authorization from a prescriber or an individual authorized by the prescriber.     (b)    In any therapeutic interchange solicitation, the following shall be disclosed to the prescriber:         (1)    that a therapeutic interchange is being solicited;         (2)    the circumstances under which the originally prescribed drug will be […]

Section 15-1635 – Requirements When Interchange Occurs

    If a therapeutic interchange occurs, the pharmacy benefits manager or its agent shall:         (1)    disclose to the beneficiary, orally or in writing:             (i)    that the pharmacy benefits manager or its agent requested a therapeutic interchange by contacting the beneficiary’s prescriber;             (ii)    the prescriber approved the therapeutic interchange;             (iii)    the names of the originally prescribed drug and the drug dispensed […]

Section 15-1636 – Cancellation and Reversal

    (a)    A pharmacy benefits manager or its agent shall cancel and reverse a therapeutic interchange on written or verbal instructions from a prescriber, the beneficiary, or the beneficiary’s representative.     (b)    If a therapeutic interchange is reversed, the pharmacy benefits manager or its agent shall:         (1)    obtain a prescription for and dispense the originally prescribed prescription drug; and         (2)    charge […]

Section 15-1637 – Maintenance of Toll-Free Telephone Number

    (a)    A pharmacy benefits manager shall maintain a toll–free telephone number Monday through Saturday for prescribers, pharmacies, pharmacists, and beneficiaries to request information regarding a therapeutic interchange.     (b)    The toll–free telephone number shall be accessible from 8 a.m. until at least 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.