House committee substitute makes the following changes to the 1st edition.

Changes the act's long title.

Deletes the proposed provisions in Section 1 of the act, which directed the UNC Health Care System (UNCHCS), in cooperation with the Department of Public Safety, Health Services Section (Health Services), to modify its 340B program to provide HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C medications to inmates.

Instead, directs the Legislative Services Commission to contract for an expert consultant to prepare a proposal for the federally compliant purchasing of inmate medications through a Disproportionate Share Hospital, including UNCHCS. Requires the proposal to include mechanisms for purchasing treatment drugs for HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, cancer, neurological conditions, rheumatic diseases, and other costly medical conditions (the previous version focused on HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C medications and directed UNCHCS and DPS Health Services to develop a plan for obtaining additional medications through the 340B program). Further requires the proposal to include specific purchasing implementation provisions. Requires the consultant to submit the proposal and any necessary legislative changes to the specified NCGA Office and Committee on or before May 1, 2019.

Increases the budget of the General Assembly by $25,000 for the 2018-19 fiscal year to cover the cost of the consultant contract (the previous version also provided $25,000 for UNCHCS to hire a legal consultant to assist in the 340B program design).

Amends proposed GS 143B-707.7 regarding contracting for limited use of local purchase of inmate pharmacy needs. Now requires Health Services to adopt a statewide reimbursement rate for local purchases of limited quantities of medicine and allowing any pharmacy willing to accept the statewide reimbursement rate to participate in the plan (the previous edition directed Health Services to award a statewide contract to a private pharmacy and require prison health staff to use that pharmacy except under extenuating circumstances and with approval). Requires the reimbursement rate to be based on the State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees reimbursement rate for prescription drugs.

Changes the effective date to now become effective when the act becomes law (was, July 1, 2019).