(

a) The department has the authority to enforce the provisions of this article, including the authority to adopt, amend, or repeal any rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the laws of this state, as may be necessary for the protection of the public and to implement this article, including, but not limited to, the director’s enforcement authority under this chapter. (

b) Notwithstanding

Chapter 3.5 (commencing with

Section 11340) of Part of Division of Title of the Government Code, the department may implement, interpret, or make specific this

article by means of all-plan letters or similar instructions to plans and pharmacy benefit managers, without taking regulatory action, until such time as regulations are adopted. (

c) Until June 30, 2028, for purposes of implementing this article, the department may contract with a consultant or consultants, including information technology consultants and vendors, with relevant expertise to assist the department with implementing this article. The department’s contract with a consultant shall include conflict-of-interest provisions to prohibit a person from participating in any report in which the person knows or has reason to know the person has a material financial interest, including, but not limited to, a person who has a consulting or other agreement with a person or organization that would be affected by the results of the report. (

d) Contracts entered into pursuant to the authority in this

section shall be exempt from

Chapter 6 (commencing with

Section 14825) of

Part 5.5 of Division of Title of the Government Code,

Section of the Government Code, and

Part 2 (commencing with

Section 10100) of Division of the Public Contract Code, and shall be exempt from the review or approval of any division of the Department of General Services.