Section 3310

SEC. 3310. REDUCING WASTEFUL DISPENSING OF OUTPATIENT PRESCRIPTION DRUGS IN LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES UNDER PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLANS AND MA-PD PLANS.

[a] In General- Section 1860D-4[c] of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1395w-104[c]] is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

'[3] REDUCING WASTEFUL DISPENSING OF OUTPATIENT PRESCRIPTION DRUGS IN LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES- The Secretary shall require PDP sponsors of prescription drug plans to utilize specific, uniform dispensing techniques, as determined by the Secretary, in consultation with relevant stakeholders [including representatives of nursing facilities, residents of nursing facilities, pharmacists, the pharmacy industry [including retail and long-term care pharmacy], prescription drug plans, MA-PD plans, and any other stakeholders the Secretary determines appropriate], such as weekly, daily, or automated dose dispensing, when dispensing covered part D drugs to enrollees who reside in a long-term care facility in order to reduce waste associated with 30-day fills.'.

[b] Effective Date- The amendment made by subsection [a] shall apply to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2012.