(a) The department may enter into contracts with one or more manufacturers on a negotiated or bid basis as the purchaser, but not the dispenser or distributor, of factor replacement therapies under the Genetically Handicapped Persons Program for the purpose of enabling the department to obtain the full range of available therapies and services required for clients with hematological disorders at the most favorable price and to enable the department, notwithstanding any other state law, to obtain discounts, rebates, or refunds from the manufacturers based upon the large quantities purchased under the program. This subdivision does not interfere with the usual and customary distribution practices of factor replacement therapies. In order to achieve maximum cost savings, the Legislature hereby determines that an expedited contract process under this section is necessary. Therefore, a contract under this subdivision may be entered into on a negotiated basis and is exempt from Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 10290) of Part 2 of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code and Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. Contracts entered pursuant to this subdivision shall be confidential and shall be exempt from disclosure under the California Public Records Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code).

(b) (1) Factor replacement therapy manufacturers shall calculate and pay interest on late or unpaid rebates. The interest does not apply to any prior period adjustments of unit rebate amounts or department utilization adjustments. Manufacturers shall calculate and pay interest on late or unpaid rebates for quarters that begin on or after the effective date of the act that added this subdivision.

(2) Following the final resolution of any dispute regarding the amount of a rebate, any underpayment by a manufacturer shall be paid with interest calculated pursuant to paragraph (4), and any overpayment, together with interest at the rate calculated pursuant to paragraph (4), shall be credited by the department against future rebates due.

(3) Interest pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) shall begin accruing 38 calendar days from the date of mailing the invoice, including supporting utilization data sent to the manufacturer. Interest shall continue to accrue until the date of mailing of the manufacturer’s payment.

(4) Interest rates and calculations pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be identical to interest rates and calculations set forth in the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Medicaid Drug Rebate Program Releases or regulations.

(c) If the department has not received a rebate payment, including interest, within 180 days of the date of mailing of the invoice, including supporting utilization data, a factor replacement therapy manufacturer’s contract with the department shall be deemed to be in default and the contract may be terminated in accordance with the terms of the contract. This subdivision does not limit the department’s right to otherwise terminate a contract in accordance with the terms of that contract.

(d) The department may enter into contracts on a bid or negotiated basis with manufacturers, distributors, dispensers, or suppliers of pharmaceuticals, appliances, durable medical equipment, medical supplies, and other product-type health care services and laboratories for the purpose of obtaining the most favorable prices to the state and to assure adequate access and quality of the product or service. In order to achieve maximum cost savings, the Legislature hereby determines that an expedited contract process under this subdivision is necessary. Therefore, contracts under this subdivision may be entered into on a negotiated basis and shall be exempt from Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 10290) of Part 2 of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code and Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

(e) The department may contract with one or more manufacturers of each multisource prescribed product or supplier of outpatient clinical laboratory services on a bid or negotiated basis. Contracts for outpatient clinical laboratory services shall require that the contractor be a clinical laboratory licensed or certified by the State of California or certified under Section 263a of Title 42 of the United States Code. This subdivision shall not be construed as prohibiting the department from contracting with less than all manufacturers or clinical laboratories, including just one manufacturer or clinical laboratory, on a bid or negotiated basis.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 303, Sec. 358. (AB 731) Effective January 1, 2016.)