HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2689

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by House Committee On:

Health Care & Wellness

Title: An act relating to electronic communication of prescription information.

Brief Description: Concerning electronic communication of prescription information.

Sponsors: Representatives Slatter, DeBolt, Cody and Jinkins; by request of Department of Health.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care & Wellness: 1/23/18, 1/26/18 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Removes the requirement that electronic prescription systems be approved by the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission.

  • Removes the requirement that the pharmacist in charge establish or verify the existence of policies and procedures ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of electronic prescriptions.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 15 members: Representatives Macri, Vice Chair; Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; Graves, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Caldier, Clibborn, DeBolt, Harris, Jinkins, MacEwen, Maycumber, Riccelli, Robinson, Slatter, Stonier and Tharinger.

Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).

Background:

A provider may electronically send a prescription for legend drugs or controlled substances to a pharmacy. The electronic system must comply with state and federal requirements relating to the form, content, recordkeeping, and processing of prescriptions and must be approved by the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC). Electronic prescription drug orders are confidential health information. The pharmacist in charge must establish or verify the existence of policies and procedures that ensure the integrity and confidentiality of electronically transmitted prescription information. All managers, employees, and agents of the pharmacy must read, sign, and comply with the policies and procedures.

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Summary of Bill:

The following requirements are eliminated:

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This is an efficiency measure. When electronic prescribing was new, PQAC approval of the electronic systems was necessary to keep patients safe. Today the systems are approved by other organizations with more expertise, including the federal Drug Enforcement Agency and the Office of National Coordination of Health Technology. The requirement of additional approval by the PQAC creates an administrative burden that is not required in the majority of other states. This bill will remove the duplicative requirements and allow broader use of electronic health records and prescribing systems, which help prevent the diversion of prescription medications.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Slatter, prime sponsor; Katie Kolan, Washington State Medical Association; and Tim Lynch, Washington State Quality Assurance Commission.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.