HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SHB 1003

                       As Passed House

                        March 8, 1991

Title:  An act relating to information on prescription drugs.

Brief Description:  Requiring pharmacists to provide information on prescription drugs.

Sponsor(s):  By House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives O'Brien, Dellwo, Wineberry and Brough).

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Health Care, February 20, 1991, DPS;

Passed House, March 8, 1991, 96-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

HEALTH CARE

Majority Report: That Substitute House Bill No. 1003 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 10 members:  Representatives Braddock, Chair; Day, Vice Chair; Casada, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Cantwell; Edmondson; Franklin; Morris; Paris; Prentice; and Sprenkle.

Minority Report: Do not pass.  Signed by 1 member:  Representative Moyer, Ranking Minority Member.

Staff:  John Welsh (786-7133).

Background:  A person who is in need of prescribed medication may not be aware of the side effects of the medication. Currently, by rules adopted by the Board of Pharmacy, pharmacists are required to provide to patients information with each new prescription if there are hazards associated with excessive or continued use of the drug.

Summary of Bill:  There is a legislative finding that legend drugs may have adverse side effects, and that patients need information to minimize any adverse or undesirable drug interactions.

A pharmacist or other practitioner who dispenses drugs to a patient is required to inform the patient of any information necessary to assure the proper utilization of the medication.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  There is a need to inform consumers of adverse drug reactions when buying medications, and current rules of the Board of Pharmacy require this. However, there is no further necessity for requiring a pharmacist to insert a warning label or enclosure with the prescription.  The compiling, up-dating, and distribution of a list of dangerous drugs is costly as well as unnecessary to achieve the beneficial purpose of the bill.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Representative O'Brien, prime sponsor (pro); Nancy Covert, Washington State Grange (pro); Don Williams, Pharmacy Board; Lars Hennum, Pharmacists of Washington (con); Doug Beeman; and Dr. Bill Robinson, Washington State Medical Association (pro).