SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5109

                      AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 8, 1991

Brief Description:  Removing the six‑month limit on filling prescriptions written by an authorized prescriber not licensed by this state.

SPONSORS:Senators West, Amondson, Moore, Stratton, McCaslin and L. Kreidler.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG‑TERM CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass.

     Signed by Senators West, Chairman; Amondson, Johnson, Kreidler, L., and Wojahn. 

Staff:  Scott Plack (786-7409)

Hearing Dates:January 30, 1991; January 31, 1991

BACKGROUND:

RCW 69.41.030 was amended in 1987 to place a six-month limit on prescription refills for legend drugs written by out-of-state authorized prescribers.  WAC 360-16-096 limits prescription refills for legend drugs written by authorized prescribers to one year.  In April 1990, this limitation was examined by the Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee and dismissed without prejudice.    

SUMMARY:

The six-month limit on prescription refills written by authorized out-of-state prescribers is removed.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

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

TESTIMONY FOR:

The current limitation on prescription refills written by out-of-state prescribers creates administrative and/or consumer expense and inconvenience.  The removal of this limitation does not pose a threat to public health and safety.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Joan Gaumer, Medco Containment Services, Inc. and National RX Services, Inc. of Washington; Lars Hennum, Pharmacists of WA; Don Williams, Board of Pharmacy; Bill Beckley, Kaiser-Permanente, Vancouver, Washington