HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SHB 1789

                       As Passed House

                       March 12, 1991

Title:  An act relating to limitations on filling prescriptions written by authorized prescribers not licensed in this state.

Brief Description:  Concerning the filling of prescriptions written by out‑of‑state prescribers.

Sponsor(s):  By House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Braddock, Paris and Prentice).

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Health Care, February 14, 1991, DPS;

Passed House, March 12, 1991, 96-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

HEALTH CARE

Majority Report: That Substitute House Bill No. 1789 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 10 members:  Representatives Braddock, Chair; Day, Vice Chair; Moyer, Ranking Minority Member; Casada, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Edmondson; Franklin; Morris; Paris; Prentice; and Sprenkle.

Staff:  John Welsh (786-7133).

Background:  Under current law, prescriptions written by physicians, dentists, podiatrists, or veterinarians in other states, or in the province of British Columbia, Canada, may be filled by pharmacists licensed in this State.  However, these prescriptions must not be older than six months beyond the date of issuance.

Summary of Bill:  Prescriptions written by specified prescribers in other states or in the province of British Columbia, Canada, may be filled by pharmacists in this State as authorized by the prescriber.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  Out-of-state prescriptions should be filled by pharmacists in this State equally with prescriptions written in this State.  The six-month expiration date poses an unnecessary and unreasonable barrier for consumers' access to prescription drugs.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Joan Gaumer, MEDCO (Pro); Lars Hennum, Pharmacists of Washington (Pro); and Don Williams, State Pharmacy Board (Pro).  (Testimony was on HB 1110, same text.)