Alex Cheng

The acting chair convened the meeting, noting the absence of Chair Shelley Bailey, and confirmed quorum. Key agenda items included conflict of interest declarations, which were none, and the approval of the January 21st, 2026 minutes. The program update covered the release of an interactive dashboard for viewing preliminary 2026 drug and insulin lists, outreach regarding planned April and May community forums, drafting of the 2025 drug review report, and the release of reporting templates for insurance carriers and pharmacy benefit managers. The team also noted the reinstatement of annual price increase reports for pharmaceutical manufacturers with an extended deadline. Legislative updates highlighted proposed bills, including an amendment to SB 1528 expanding patient assistance program reporting requirements and HB 4040, which includes changes to PDAB operations. The acting chair proposed a process for promptly updating board members on future legislation directly referencing the PDAB statute. Public comment included 11 written submissions and 6 requests to speak. Proposers expressed concerns regarding the process used to select an insulin product as unaffordable, the interpretation of orphan drug review authority, the impracticality of separating data based on drug indication, and potential negative consequences of broad policy recommendations such as payment limit changes, removing specialty tiers, and eliminating mid-year formulary changes.

The meeting included a program update from the executive director and general public comment. A primary discussion centered on the 2025 drug review, where the board voted on 23 prescription drugs to identify those creating affordability challenges. Key votes resulted in the identification of Vraylar, Cosentyx, Trulicity, and Lantus SoloStar. The board also held an executive session for legal advice and discussed preliminary lists for the 2026 drug review based on 2024 commercial insurer reporting.

The meeting agenda included a roll call, board declarations of conflicts of interest, and review of previous minutes from January 21, 2026. Key discussions included a PDAB program update, general public comment, and an executive session for legal advice. Major agenda items involved a board vote on amended PDAB Policies and Procedures, discussion regarding House Bill 4040 (2026) concerning the selection process for the chairperson, review and discussion of preliminary drug lists for the 2026 drug review, and discussion regarding recommendations to include in the 2025 drug review report.

This report outlines Sanofi's strategic actions to improve insulin affordability and patient access. Key initiatives include significant price reductions for Lantus and Apidra insulins, capping out-of-pocket costs at $35 for many patients through various programs, and launching an unbranded biologic for Toujeo. The company is committed to ensuring no patient is left behind by offering copay assistance, savings programs for uninsured individuals, and free medications for eligible low-income patients, ultimately aiming to widen patient access and increase system-wide affordability for insulin.

The meeting focused on the rulemaking process for House Bill 3243 concerning ground ambulance balance billing, which became effective on January 1, 2026. Discussions centered on the temporary rules implemented and the subsequent permanent rulemaking process, with an intent to make the temporary rules permanent before they expire in June. Committee members provided feedback on submitted comment letters, with several members expressing support for the approach taken by DCBS regarding the Medicare rate. Updates were provided on the development of the HB 3243 information website, which aggregates data for consumers, ground ambulance service organizations (GASOs), and insurance industry stakeholders, including the status of locally established rates and self-funded plan opt-ins. A specific concern was raised regarding the lack of official acknowledgement for submitted self-funded plan opt-ins and the legal authority of using bulletins to set reimbursement rates. The agency stated it would consider building in an acknowledgement mechanism and noted that the current framework differs from Washington State's authority. The plan is to move through the rulemaking process, including a public hearing in April, to finalize permanent rules before the temporary rules expire.