HB 240 -- Prescriptions

Sponsor:  Childers

This bill revises the procedures by which a prescriber instructs
a pharmacist as to whether a less expensive generic version of a
drug may be dispensed in lieu of a brand name drug and also
revises the forms on which prescription orders are written.

Under current law, the prescriber signs the form on one of two
signature lines, one of which directs the pharmacist to dispense
as written and the other of which allows the pharmacist to
substitute a less expensive generic equivalent for the brand
name drug.  All prescriptions must be written on such forms and
a prescription will not be valid unless the prescriber signs one
of the signature lines.  A pharmacist who receives a
prescription for a brand name drug on a prescription form on
which the prescriber authorizes a substitution may dispense a
less expensive generic product unless otherwise directed by the
purchaser.  This bill repeals the standards described in this
paragraph.

Instead, this bill provides that a pharmacist who receives a
written prescription for a brand name drug may dispense a less
expensive generic equivalent product unless the prescriber
writes "brand medication necessary" in his or her own
handwriting on the prescription form.  Also, prescriptions
delivered orally may include instructions as to whether a
generic drug may be substituted; under current law, such
instructions must be included.  A pharmacist may not dispense a
generic equivalent product under a prescription for a brand name
drug except as provided in this paragraph.