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§ 2-801. Definitions

West's Annotated Code of MarylandHealth--GeneralEffective: October 1, 2017

West's Annotated Code of Maryland
Health--General
Title 2. Maryland Department of Health (Refs & Annos)
Subtitle 8. Prohibition Against Price Gouging for Essential Off-Patent or Generic Drugs (Refs & Annos)
Effective: October 1, 2017
MD Code, Health - General, § 2-801
§ 2-801. Definitions
In general
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
Essential off-patent or generic drug
(b)(1) “Essential off-patent or generic drug” means any prescription drug:
(i) For which all exclusive marketing rights, if any, granted under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, § 351 of the federal Public Health Service Act, and federal patent law have expired;
(ii) 1. That appears on the Model List of Essential Medicines most recently adopted by the World Health Organization; or
2. That has been designated by the Secretary as an essential medicine due to its efficacy in treating a life-threatening health condition or a chronic health condition that substantially impairs an individual's ability to engage in activities of daily living;
(iii) That is actively manufactured and marketed for sale in the United States by three or fewer manufacturers; and
(iv) That is made available for sale in the State.
(2) “Essential off-patent or generic drug” includes any drug-device combination product used for the delivery of a drug for which all exclusive marketing rights, if any, granted under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, § 351 of the federal Public Health Service Act, and federal patent law have expired.
Price gouging
(c) “Price gouging” means an unconscionable increase in the price of a prescription drug.
State health plan
(d) “State health plan” has the meaning stated in § 2-601 of this title.
State health program
(e) “State health program” has the meaning stated in § 2-601 of this title.
Unconscionable increase
(f) “Unconscionable increase” means an increase in the price of a prescription drug that:
(1) Is excessive and not justified by the cost of producing the drug or the cost of appropriate expansion of access to the drug to promote public health; and
(2) Results in consumers for whom the drug has been prescribed having no meaningful choice about whether to purchase the drug at an excessive price because of:
(i) The importance of the drug to their health; and
(ii) Insufficient competition in the market for the drug.
Wholesale acquisition cost
(g) “Wholesale acquisition cost” has the meaning stated in 42 U.S.C. § 1395w-3a.

Credits

Added by Acts 2017, c. 818, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2017.
MD Code, Health - General, § 2-801, MD HEALTH GEN § 2-801
Current through legislation effective through April 9, 2023, from the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
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