87th Session
86th Session
85th Session
84th Session
83rd Session
81st Session
80th Session
79th Session
78th Session
87th Session
2021
Clear Process and Orphan Drug Riders
Senate Bill 1, the state's biennial budget, includes the development of a clear process for including prescription medications on the Texas Drug Code Index requiring HHSC to clarify their process for the inclusion of prescription drugs in both Medicaid and CHIP.
Senate Bill 1, the state's biennial budget, includes the development of a clear process for including prescription medications on the Texas Drug Code Index requiring HHSC to clarify their process for the inclusion of prescription drugs in both Medicaid and CHIP.
The bill also includes a special provision of notification related to orphan drugs rates and rate increases. An orphan drug is a pharmaceutical agent that has been developed specifically to treat individuals diagnosed with orphan diseases, defined as affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the United States. Orphan diseases are often serious or life threatening, and these drugs often fill an unmet need.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Newborn Screening
Senate Bill 1 includes the Texas Department of State Health Services' (DSHS) funding request to fully implement the newborn screening of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
SMA is the number one genetic cause of death for infants. Spinal muscular atrophy is a genetic disorder that starts in the central nervous system and affects all the muscles in the body, taking away the ability to walk, eat, or breathe. Newborn screening is the most effective and efficient way for babies with SMA to access timely detection, identification, and treatments.
86th Session
2019
Clear Process and Orphan Drug Riders
HB1 (the state budget) includes the development of a clear process for including prescription medications on the Texas Drug Code Index requiring HHSC to clarify their process for the inclusion of prescription drugs in both Medicaid and CHIP. The bill also includes a provision of notification related to orphan drugs which is a pharmaceutical agent that has been developed specifically to treat a rare medical condition.
HB1 (the state budget) includes the development of a clear process for including prescription medications on the Texas Drug Code Index requiring HHSC to clarify their process for the inclusion of prescription drugs in both Medicaid and CHIP. The bill also includes a provision of notification related to orphan drugs which is a pharmaceutical agent that has been developed specifically to treat a rare medical condition.
Public Information Act
SB 943 relates to the regulation of contracting information and certain entities that handle contracting information that would be considered public. THBI was successful in adding language that would better clarify and protect the definition of a trade secret, including those for pharmaceutical products.
SB 943 relates to the regulation of contracting information and certain entities that handle contracting information that would be considered public. THBI was successful in adding language that would better clarify and protect the definition of a trade secret, including those for pharmaceutical products.
Newborn Screening
SB 748 relates to maternal and newborn health care, including the newborn screening preservation account as a dedicated account in general revenue to be administered by the Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Money in the account can only be appropriated to DSHS and only for the purposes of carrying out the newborn screening program.
SB 748 relates to maternal and newborn health care, including the newborn screening preservation account as a dedicated account in general revenue to be administered by the Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Money in the account can only be appropriated to DSHS and only for the purposes of carrying out the newborn screening program.
CPRIT
HJR 12 (now Proposition 6) on the November 5, 2019 ballot is the continuation of CPRIT and would allow the Texas Legislature to increase the maximum amount of bonds from $3 billion to $6 billion. THBI is involved in a statewide campaign of advocacy organizations with the goal passing Proposition 6 to continue funding cancer research and prevention in Texas for the next decade.
HJR 12 (now Proposition 6) on the November 5, 2019 ballot is the continuation of CPRIT and would allow the Texas Legislature to increase the maximum amount of bonds from $3 billion to $6 billion. THBI is involved in a statewide campaign of advocacy organizations with the goal passing Proposition 6 to continue funding cancer research and prevention in Texas for the next decade.
85th Session
2017
SB 81
SB 81 extended CPRIT’s sunset review date by two years to allow the agency to fulfill its constitutional mandate to invest all funds approved by Texas voters.
SB 81 extended CPRIT’s sunset review date by two years to allow the agency to fulfill its constitutional mandate to invest all funds approved by Texas voters.
84th Session
2015
Governor’s University Research Initiative
The Governor’s University Research Initiative grant program (GURI) is a matching grant program to assist eligible institutions of higher education in recruiting distinguished researchers to Texas.
Biosimilars
HB 751 updates the Texas Pharmacy Practice Act by allowing Texas pharmacists to dispense safe and less expensive biologic medications to patients, by allowing substitution of an FDA approved interchangeable biologic for a prescribed brand name biologic.
The Governor’s University Research Initiative grant program (GURI) is a matching grant program to assist eligible institutions of higher education in recruiting distinguished researchers to Texas.
Biosimilars
HB 751 updates the Texas Pharmacy Practice Act by allowing Texas pharmacists to dispense safe and less expensive biologic medications to patients, by allowing substitution of an FDA approved interchangeable biologic for a prescribed brand name biologic.
83rd Session
2013
HB 800 R&D Tax Credit
HB 800 offers tax credits for companies engaged in qualified research activities a choice between accepting a sales tax exemption or a franchise tax credit.
HB 800 offers tax credits for companies engaged in qualified research activities a choice between accepting a sales tax exemption or a franchise tax credit.
81st Session
2009
Texas Tier One Initiative
The Texas Tier One Initiative (House Bill 51) created two funds and an incentive research program to also create additional national research universities in Texas.
The Texas Tier One Initiative (House Bill 51) created two funds and an incentive research program to also create additional national research universities in Texas.
80th Session
2007
Pharmaceutical Biotech Cleanroom Exemption
Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT)
$3B - $300M per year for 10 years/to date to fund groundbreaking cancer research and prevention programs and services in Texas.
$3B - $300M per year for 10 years/to date to fund groundbreaking cancer research and prevention programs and services in Texas.
79th Session
2005
Texas Emerging Technology Fund (TETF)
The TETF awarded more than $232.46 million for biotechnology related projects.
The TETF awarded more than $232.46 million for biotechnology related projects.
Product Development Fund
The Texas Product Development Fund provided financing to aid the development, production and commercialization of new or improved products within the state.
The Texas Product Development Fund provided financing to aid the development, production and commercialization of new or improved products within the state.
78th Session
2003
Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF)
The TEF has awarded $98.1 million for biotechnology related projects, creating 11,451 jobs
The TEF has awarded $98.1 million for biotechnology related projects, creating 11,451 jobs