(a) The California Rx Prescription Drug Web Site Program is hereby established.

(b) The State Department of Health Care Services shall administer the program. The purpose of the program shall be to provide information to California residents and health care providers about options for obtaining prescription drugs at affordable prices.

(c) The department shall establish a Web site on or before July 1, 2008, which shall, at a minimum, provide information about, and electronic links to, all of the following:

(1) Prescription drug benefits available to Medicare beneficiaries, including the Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program.

(2) State programs that provide drugs at discounted prices for California residents.

(3) Pharmaceutical manufacturer patient assistance programs that provide free or low-cost prescription drugs to qualifying individuals.

(4) Other Web sites as deemed appropriate by the department that help California residents to safely obtain prescription drugs at affordable prices, including links to Web sites of health plans and health insurers regarding their prescription drug formularies.

(d) The department’s Web site shall include price comparisons of at least 150 commonly prescribed prescription drugs, including typical prices charged by licensed pharmacies in the state.

(e) The department shall ensure that the Web site established pursuant to this section is coordinated with, and does not duplicate, other Web sites that provide information about prescription drug options and costs.

(f) Implementation of this section shall be contingent upon an appropriation, if the department determines that the requirements of this section cannot be implemented without additional funding, in which case the department shall request an appropriation from the Legislature for that purpose.

(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 483, Sec. 23. Effective January 1, 2008.)