SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, there shall be a state pharmacy council which shall consist of the commissioner of public health, or his designee;  the commissioner of insurance, or his designee;  the secretary of elder affairs, or his designee;  the secretary of health and human services, or his designee; three consumers, to be appointed by the governor; a member from the Massachusetts Medical Society, so-called; a member from Massachusetts Pharmacists Association, so-called; a member from the Massachusetts Independent Pharmacists Association, so-called; a member from the Massachusetts Chain Pharmacy Council, so called; a member from the Massachusetts Society of Health-System Pharmacists, so-called; a member from the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, so-called; a member from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, so-called; a member from Blue Cross Blue Shield, so-called; a member from Tufts Health Plan, so-called; a member from Commonwealth Communities, so called; and a member from Massachusetts Association of Health Plans, so-called.  The appointed members shall be reimbursed for expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties. The state pharmacy council shall meet at least quarterly.

SECTION 2.  The state pharmacy council shall act to coordinate the agencies within the executive office of health and human services and the division of insurance in their effort to lower prescription drug costs for the state.  The state pharmacy council shall be responsible for ensuring the ongoing communication and coordination between agencies and the agencies’ communications with the legislature, while having a vested interest in achieving savings in prescription drug spending.  The state pharmacy council shall explore improvements in program costs, access, and quality. 

SECTION 3.  The state pharmacy council shall review legislation and regulations relating to programs and operations relative to pharmaceuticals and shall make recommendations concerning the effect of such legislation or regulation. Said council shall recommend policies which will contribute to lowering prescription drug costs in the state. Said council shall recommend policies for the conduct, supervision or coordination of relationships between state and county agencies, other state and local government agencies, federal agencies and nongovernmental entities with respect to all matters relating to prescription drugs in the state.