TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement and any subsequent amendments between the City of Long Beach and Ramsell Corporation (Ramsell), and contracts between the City of Long Beach and local pharmacies including, but not limited to, Bella Vida Pharmacy, Mom’s Pharmacy, and Ralphs Pharmacies, for eligible HIV-positive individuals to receive medications under the Healthy Way Program. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Since 1988, the City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) has been providing clinical treatment services to persons with HIV/AIDS. The Health Department provided HIV/AIDS care to over 250 patients in 2011.
On November 15, 2011 the City Council approved an agreement between the City and Los Angeles County for the Healthy Way LA Program to provide low-cost medications for the Health Department’s HIV/AIDS patients.
Healthy Way LA requires that, in order to access the low-cost medications, we contract with Ramsell and other eligible local pharmacies. The agreement with Ramsell will provide discounted pricing on prescription drugs. The agreements with the above noted pharmacies are required under this agreement, as they are approved providers of this service under the master agreement between the County and Ramsell. Other local vendors may participate in this program should they be able to enter into agreements with the County and Ramsell in order to meet the program requirements.
These agreements will have no cost to the City, and will allow the Health Department to commit grant funding to direct services for clinic patients and provide more comprehensive HIV services.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda Trang on April 19, 2012 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on April 10, 2012.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
Due to the short time frame of this contract, City Council action on this matter is requested on May 1, 2012, as the City will be unable to ent...
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