(a) The department shall negotiate drug discount agreements with manufacturers to provide discounts for single-source and multiple-source prescription drugs through the program. The department shall attempt to negotiate the maximum possible discount for an eligible Californian. The department shall attempt to negotiate, with each manufacturer, discounts to offer single-source prescription drugs under the program at a volume weighted average discount that is equal to or below any one of the following benchmark prices:

(1) Eighty-five percent of the average manufacturer price for a drug, as published by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

(2) The lowest price provided to any nonpublic entity in the state by a manufacturer to the extent that the Medicaid best price exists under federal law.

(3) The Medicaid best price, to the extent that this price exists under federal law.

(b) The department may require the drug manufacturer to provide information that is reasonably necessary for the department to carry out its duties pursuant to this division.

(c) The department shall pursue manufacturer discount agreements to ensure that the number and type of drugs available through the program is sufficient to give an eligible Californian a formulary comparable to the Medi-Cal list of contract drugs, or if this information is available to the department, a formulary that is comparable to that provided to CalPERS enrollees.

(d) To obtain the most favorable discounts, the department may limit the number of drugs available through the program.

(e) The drug discount agreements negotiated pursuant to this section shall be used to reduce the cost of drugs purchased by program participants and to fund program costs pursuant to Section 130542.1.

(f) All information reported by a manufacturer to, negotiations with, and agreements executed with, the department or its third-party vendor pursuant to this section, shall be considered confidential and corporate proprietary information. This information shall not be subject to disclosure under the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code). The California State Auditor’s Office and the Controller shall have access to pricing information in a manner that is consistent with their access to this information under the Medi-Cal program and under law. The California State Auditor’s Office and the Controller may use this information only to investigate or audit the administration of the program. Neither the California State Auditor’s Office, the Controller, nor the department may disclose this information in a form that identifies a specific manufacturer or wholesaler or prices charged for drugs of this manufacturer or wholesaler. Information provided to the department pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 130530 shall not be affected by the confidentiality protections established by this subdivision.

(g) (1) Any pharmacy licensed pursuant to Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 4000) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code may participate in the program.

(2) Any manufacturer may participate in the program.

(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 615, Sec. 295. (AB 474) Effective January 1, 2022. Operative January 1, 2023, pursuant to Sec. 463 of Stats. 2021, Ch. 615.)