H-0214.1/91       _______________________________________________

 

                                  HOUSE BILL 1003

                  _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington              52nd Legislature             1991 Regular Session

 

By Representatives O'Brien, Dellwo, Wineberry and Brough.

 

Read first time January 14, 1991.  Referred to Committee on Health Care.Requiring pharmacists to provide information on prescription drugs.


     AN ACT Relating to information on prescription drugs; and adding a new section to chapter 18.64 RCW.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 18.64 RCW to read as follows:

     (1) The board shall determine which legend drugs or drug types pose a substantial risk to the person consuming the drug if taken in combination with alcohol or which may impair a person's ability to drive a motor vehicle.  The board shall provide each pharmacy in this state with a list of such drugs or drug types.

     (2) A pharmacist shall inform a patient orally or in writing of the harmful effects of any drug dispensed by prescription that has been determined by the board under subsection (1) of this section to be a drug or drug type that poses substantial risk to the person consuming the drug when taken in combination with alcohol or that may impair a person's ability to drive a motor vehicle.

     (3) A pharmacist is responsible for providing a label or enclosure with the drug container whenever the prescribed drug has not previously been dispensed to the patient, or whenever the prescribed drug has been dispensed in a different dosage, form, strength, or with different written instructions.  The label or enclosure shall read, "Consult your pharmacist or physician with a list of medications you are currently taking if you have any questions about adverse drug reactions."  The print on the label shall be no smaller than 12-point.