Legislative Update
In an effort to keep you all abreast of legislative activities that affect
the practice of pharmacy, please note the following.
Bills That Passed
♦ AB 39: National Precursor Log Exchange
◊ Requires a “real-time” stop-sale electronic system for methamphetamine precursors, replacing the old “logbook.”
♦ AB 155: Reporting of child abuse
◊ Requires all health care professionals to report child abuse if in
their professional opinion such activity is occurring.
◊ Youwillbe requiredto respondonyour renewal application
that you are aware of this new requirement.
♦ AB 170: Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs)
◊ Advanced Practice Nurses, now known as APRNs, who will be
“licensed” rather than “registered,” are allowed to practice and
prescribe without a collaborating physician.
♦ SB 220: Unlicensed practice of pharmacy
◊ Increases criminal penalties and authorizes cite and fine ability
♦ SB 327: Telemedicine, Electronic refill log
◊ Allows a telephonic or video “examination” (rather than just
“physical”) to prescribe; allows prescription refill recordsto be
kept electronically; allows a pharmacist, in his or her professional
judgment, to dispense up to a 90-day supply of any dangerous
drug with valid periodic refills(maintenance drugs only and no
controlled substances) without authorization by the prescriber.
♦ SB 410: Sale of hypodermic devices
◊ Allows the sale of hypodermic devices, not requiring a prescription by federal law, for any purpose.
♦ AB 362: Establishes the HIV/AIDS Drug Donation Program
♦ SB 453: EpiPen®
in schools
◊ Allows schools to possess auto injectable epinephrine not pursuant to a prescription for a specific patient (student).
♦ SB 374: Provides for medical marijuana dispensaries to be regulated
by the Health Division of the Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS)
♦ AB 95: Allows the patient to request the “substituted for brand
name” language to be left off the prescription label
Bills That Failed
♦ SB 75: Would have allowed patients who become addicted to
prescription drugs to bring a cause of action against the prescribing
practitioners and the drug companies