SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any general or special rule or law to the contrary, the Department of Public Health shall conduct a study on the overall effectiveness of single tablet regimens or long acting alternative regimens, including but not limited to patch, sub-cutaneous, implantable or intramuscular regimens in comparison to multi-tablet regimens that treat HIV.  Said study will conduct an analysis of the costs and benefits of these drug treatments that are medically necessary for the treatment of HIV, including, consistent with clinical guidelines and peer-reviewed scientific and medical literature, if the regimens are clinically equal, which might be more effective and more likely to result in adherence to a drug regimen, how improved adherence may result in increased viral suppression rates, decreased HIV transmission, any cost-savings associated with avoided lifetime medical costs of prevented HIV infections, and which might improve quality of life as it relates to pill burden associated with HIV and other conditions a patient may have.

The Department shall make a report on its findings along with any recommendations for legislative or regulatory improvements to advance their conclusion no later than December 31, 2018.