Proponents of the bill are inundating the Senate, demanding they vote on this bill during the Lame Duck session in November. This problematic legislation would require pharmacists to dispense any prescribed drug to a patient – and in doing so, would override a pharmacist’s obligation to exercise their professional judgement as to the safety of the prescribed drug for a particular patient. NACDS RxIMPACT needs your help flooding the inboxes of state senators to let them know that this bill will turn the safety net of the prescribing and dispensing system on its head, potentially harming the health of their constituents.
HB 73 would eliminate the standard of care for off-label prescriptions, negatively impact patient care and bypass a wealth of pharmacist medication expertise. Pharmacists are bound by federal and state laws to perform drug utilization review to assess a prescription’s safety in the context of a patient’s drug history and other considerations, and to further exercise professional judgement when dispensing a prescription. It is impossible for pharmacists to comply with both HB 73 and their existing legal obligations as a pharmacist.
Legislation that would prohibit pharmacists from refusing to fill prescriptions written for off-label uses would prevent pharmacists from meeting their legal and professional obligations, compromising patient safety. As prescribers rarely provide diagnoses when issuing prescriptions, this proposal would likely impact the dispensing of most medications.
Act today! Simply click on the take action button below, type in your contact information, and the system will generate personalized communications to your state legislators. If you have any questions or would like any assistance, please contact Jill McCormack via email or at 717-592-8977, or Heidi Ecker via email or phone at 703-837-4121.