Prescription Medicine Study Committee

2025-2026 Bill 749: Prescription Medicine Study Committee - South Carolina Legislature Online

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
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S. 749
STATUS INFORMATION
Joint Resolution
Sponsors: Senator Ott
Companion/Similar bill(s): 4768
Document Path: LC-0531WAB26.docx
Introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2026
Currently residing in the Senate Committee on
Medical Affairs
Summary: Prescription Medicine Study Committee
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

Date

Body

Action Description with journal page number

12/10/2025

Senate

Prefiled

12/10/2025

Senate

Referred to Committee on
Medical Affairs

1/13/2026

Senate

Introduced and read first time (
Senate Journal-page 41
)

1/13/2026

Senate

Referred to Committee on
Medical Affairs
(
Senate Journal-page 41
)

View the latest
legislative information
at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
12/10/2025

A joint Resolution

TO CREATE THE "PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE STUDY COMMITTEE" TO
EXAMINE AND RECOMMEND INNOVATIVE METHODS TO REDUCE COSTS FOR PRESCRIPTION
MEDICINES CONSIDERED CRITICAL TO SOUTH CAROLINA CITIZENS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE
MEMBERSHIP, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMITTEE; AND TO REQUIRE A
REPORT OF FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

W
hereas, access to
affordable prescription medicine is essential to the health, stability, and
well-being of the citizens of South Carolina; and

W
hereas, chronic
diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and dementia disproportionately
affect South Carolina residents and require continuous access to
life-sustaining medications; and

W
hereas, the rising
cost of prescription drugs places a significant financial burden on families,
healthcare providers, and the State; and

W
hereas, identifying
innovative, transparent, and effective methods to reduce prescription medicine
costs is in the best interest of the State and its citizens. Now, therefore,

B
e it enacted by the
General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

S
ECTION 1.
(
A) There is created the Prescription Medicine Study
Committee to evaluate methods and strategies to reduce costs of prescription
medicines considered critical to the health, well-being, and longevity of the
citizens of South Carolina.

(
B)
(
1) The committee shall:

(
a)
identify and review innovative methods used in other states, the federal
government, and private industry to reduce the cost of prescription medicines,
with a primary focus on medications necessary for the treatment or management
of diabetes, heart disease, dementia, and other diseases prevalent among South
Carolina citizens.

(
b)
evaluate current cost barriers, including pricing structures, supply chains,
and the role of pharmacy benefit managers, insurers, and pharmaceutical
manufacturers.

(
c)
recommend policy proposals, statutory changes, pilot programs, or regulatory
modifications that could result in lower prescription costs without
compromising patient safety, access, or quality of care.

(
d)
consider opportunities for state-led initiatives, such as bulk purchasing,
state-supported pharmaceutical distribution models, rebate reforms,
manufacturer transparency requirements, or other mechanisms used in similar
jurisdictions.

(
e) engage
South Carolina consumers, providers, and industry stakeholders through
hearings, written submissions, or other information-gathering methods the
committee finds beneficial.

(
2) In
fulfilling its duties, the committee may request data, reports, or assistance
from any state agency.

(
D)(1) The
Prescription Medicine Study Committee shall be composed of the following
members:

(
a) the
Chair of the House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee, or his designee;

(
b) the
Chair of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, or his designee;

(
c) the
Chair of the House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee,
or his designee;

(
d) the
Chair of the Senate Medical Affairs Committee or his designee;

(
e) the
Director of the Department of Insurance or his designee;

(
f) the
Director of the Department of Public Health or his designee;

(
g) the
Executive Director of the South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority
(PEBA) or his designee;

(
h) the
Director of the South Carolina Medical Association or his designee;

(
i) the President
of the Hospital Association or his designee;

(
j) one
representative of a health plan that does not own, control, or have a stake in
a pharmacy benefit manager within the health plan's corporate structure,
appointed by the Governor; and

(
k) one
representative of a pharmacy benefits management company, appointed by the
Governor.

(
2) The members
shall elect a chair and vice chair from among themselves at the committee's
first meeting.

(
3) The
committee shall meet as soon as practicable upon appointment of all members.

(
4) A majority
of members constitutes a quorum.

(
5) Staff
support shall be provided by the appropriate committees of the House of
Representatives and the Senate, and by any relevant state agencies as
reasonably requested.

(
6) Members of
the committee shall serve without compensation but may receive mileage,
subsistence, and per diem as provided by state law for legislative committees.

(
E) The committee
shall prepare and submit a report of its findings and recommendations,
including any proposed legislation, to the General Assembly no later than
December 31, 2026. Upon submission of the report, the committee is dissolved
unless reauthorized by joint resolution.

S
ECTION 2. This joint resolution takes effect
upon approval by the Governor.

----XX----

This web page was last updated on January 13, 2026 at 1:09 PM