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Bill

A 6041

Establishes a temporary task force on the variable supplements fund program

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Karl Brabenec and 12 co-sponsors

New Jersey would establish a state program to import FDA-approved prescription drugs from approved foreign countries to deliver substantial savings to consumers.

REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYEES
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Bill Summary · A 6041

Bill A 6041 — Summary

Note: The bill text provided appears to focus on establishing a wholesale prescription drug importation program rather than a “temporary task force on the variable supplements fund program.” This summary follows the introduced version and its stated purpose to create a wholesale prescription drug importation program in New Jersey, aligned with federal requirements.

Overview

  • Bill number: A 6041
  • Title (introduced version): Establishes a wholesale prescription drug importation program (within the context of prescription drug safety, pricing, and access)
  • Primary purpose: Create a state program to import prescription drugs from foreign countries that meet FDA safety standards and are expected to generate substantial savings for New Jersey consumers.
  • Status: Referred to Governmental Employees (introduced in the Assembly on Nov 17, 2025; previously referred to Governmental Employees on Feb 26, 2025)
  • Sponsors: Paula Kay (primary) and a list of cosponsors including Judy Griffin, Brian Maher, Nily Rozic, and others

Key Provisions

1) Definitions (Section 1)

  • Aligns defined terms with existing New Jersey statute (e.g., Commissioner, department, drug, wholesale distributor).
  • Defines “foreign countries” as Canada and other nations with similarly high prescription drug regulatory standards, as determined by the commissioner.
  • Defines “health benefits plan” per existing statute.

2) Establishment and Design of the Importation Program (Section 2)

  • The Commissioner of Health, in consultation with stakeholders and federal officials, must establish a wholesale prescription drug importation program within 120 days after enactment.
  • Program goals:
    • Designate one or more entities that will become wholesale distributors or contract with wholesalers to obtain federal certification to import safe prescription drugs and deliver substantial state savings.
    • Import drugs from foreign suppliers.
    • Import only FDA-safety-approved and effective drugs.
    • Import only drugs expected to generate substantial savings for state consumers.
  • Entity responsibilities (if designated):
    • Become a wholesale distributor or contract with one.
    • Contract with licensed/regulated foreign suppliers.
    • Develop a registration process for health benefits plans, pharmacies, and providers willing to participate.
    • Create a publicly accessible price list for imported drugs for participants and consumers.
    • Develop outreach, marketing, and a consumer-facing hotline.
    • Establish a biennial third-party audit (not conducted by the department or its affiliate).
    • Perform any additional activities deemed important by the commissioner for program success.

3) Federal Certification and Waivers (Section 3)

  • Within 210 days after enactment, the Commissioner must submit a formal request to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for certification of the state’s wholesale importation program.
  • The Commissioner should seek appropriate federal approvals, waivers, exemptions, or agreements as needed to maximize the program’s cost savings for as many state consumers as possible.

4) Effective Date (Section 4)

  • The act takes effect 30 days after enactment.

Timeline Highlights

  • 120 days after enactment: Program establishment required.
  • 210 days after enactment: Formal request for federal certification submitted.
  • 30 days after enactment: Act takes effect.

Impact and Affected Parties

  • Affected entities: Wholesale distributors (or entities contracting with wholesalers), foreign suppliers, health benefits plans, participating pharmacies, prescription drug-administering health care providers, employers, and consumers.
  • Public-facing elements: Biennial third-party audits, a price-list for imported drugs, an outreach/marketing plan, and a dedicated consumer hotline.
  • Fiscal/operational: Requires initial program setup, regulatory alignment with federal law (21 U.S.C. s. 384 and related requirements), and ongoing audits and reporting.

Compliance and Safeguards

  • Importations must comply with FDA safety and effectiveness standards.
  • Only drugs anticipated to yield substantial savings may be imported.
  • Foreign countries are limited to those meeting high regulatory standards (as determined by the commissioner).

Related Legislation

  • Related bills listed (A 480, A 6020, A 3716, A 4575, S 1181, A 7322) indicate ongoing interest in drug pricing and importation policies across sessions.

If you’d like, I can add a side-by-side comparison with current NJ drug importation rules or pull out a one-page briefing for policymakers.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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