FINAL BILL REPORT

                   SB 6441

                          C 109 L 96

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Requiring expiration dates on prescriptions dispensed by nonresident pharmacies.

Sponsors:  Senators Moyer, Franklin, Schow, Wojahn, Zarelli, Quigley, Wood, Winsley, Fairley, Deccio, Oke and Kohl.

Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

House Committee on Health Care

Background:  Pharmacies that ship, mail or deliver prescriptions to the state of Washington are required to be licensed as nonresident pharmacies.  These pharmacies are required to comply with rules for the provision of drug information to patients and information necessary to assure the proper utilization of the medication prescribed.

Current state law requires all in-state pharmacies to attach a label that contains information, including the expiration date of the medication, to all prescription containers. Nonresident pharmacies are not required to include the expiration dates.

The use of nonresident pharmacies has grown rapidly in recent years. Concern exists that many residents of Washington may be taking medications that have expired because nonresident pharmacies do not have to provide the medication's expiration date.  Expired prescriptions may no longer be beneficial to a patient and may even be harmful.

Summary:  Nonresident pharmacies are required to attach a label including the expiration date of the medication to any prescription dispensed in the state of Washington.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate    49 0

House     93 0

Effective:  June 6, 1996