HOUSE BILL REPORT

EHB 235

BYRepresentatives Fisch, Jacobsen, Dellwo, Hargrove, Haugen, Niemi, Fisher, Ebersole, Basich, Belcher, Cole, Jesernig, Lewis, Walker, R. King, Braddock, Lux, P. King, Bumgarner, Unsoeld and Miller

Legalizing the possession of drugs prescribed by out-of-state physicians.

House Committe on Health Care

Majority Report:     Do pass.  (10)

     Signed by Representatives Braddock, Chair; Day, Vice Chair; Bristow, Brooks, Bumgarner, Cantwell, Lewis, Lux, D. Sommers and Sprenkle.

House Staff:John Welsh (786-7133)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 9, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Under current law, prescriptions must be written by health practitioners licensed in this state or in bordering states before legend drugs may be dispensed to patients.  Legend drugs are those drugs which cannot be dispensed by a pharmacist without a prescription.

SUMMARY:

Physicians and osteopathic physicians licensed in any state of the United States are authorized to write prescriptions which can be dispensed in the state of Washington.  However, it is unlawful to fill prescriptions which are more than six months old written by out-of-state physicians.

Fiscal Note:    Attached.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:     Representative Fisch, prime sponsor; Don Williams, Pharmacy Board; Mike Ryland, Washington State Medical Association; and Joan Gaumer, Blue Cross.

House Committee - Testified Against: None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:     The filling of prescriptions through the mail or by common carrier is common practice.  This may be helpful to out-of-state visitors who need prescriptions filled or refilled.

House Committee - Testimony Against: None Presented.