SENATE BILL REPORT

                  ESHB 1769

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

          Health & Long-Term Care, February 19, 1998

Title:  An act relating to electronic transfer of prescription information.

Brief Description:  Providing for the electronic transfer of prescriptions.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Zellinsky, Sheldon and L. Thomas).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Health & Long‑Term Care:  2/19/98 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

  Signed by Senators Deccio, Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Fairley, Franklin and Wojahn.

Staff:  Joan Mell (786-7447)

Background:  The use of electronic equipment for transferring patient prescription information is not currently authorized or regulated.

Summary of Amended Bill:  The electronic communication of prescription information is authorized by law.

Electronic communication of prescription information means the transfer of prescription information by computer, facsimile visual imaging (FAX), or other electronic means, for original or refill information for legend drugs and controlled substances, Schedule III to V,  between a prescribing practitioner and a pharmacy, or between pharmacies.  No intervening person between a physician and a pharmacy can have access to the prescription drug order.

Electronically communicated prescription information must comply with applicable laws and rules.  The Board of Pharmacy is authorized to adopt rules implementing this law.  Electronic systems must be approved by the Board of Pharmacy, except currently used FAX equipment.  The board must maintain a list of approved systems.

Electronically communicated prescription information must allow the opportunity for health prescribers to indicate their preferences for substituting therapeutically equivalent generic drugs authorized by law; protect the confidentiality of patient prescription information from unauthorized disclosure; and assure accuracy and authenticity of prescriptions.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:  Naturopaths are added to the definition of practitioner.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Naturopaths should also be covered under this bill.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Jeff Larsen, WA Association of Naturopathic Physicians (pro).