Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Health Care Committee

SSB 5565

Brief Description:  Dispensing controlled substance orders and prescriptions.

Sponsors:  By Senate Committee on Health & Long‑Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Deccio, Thibaudeau and Kohl‑Welles).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

$A Schedule II controlled substance may be dispensed to a patient in long-term care or hospice facility by a facsimile copy of a prescription sent by a prescribing practitioner.

$The requirement that controlled substances may be distributed only pursuant to order forms is repealed.

Hearing Date:  3/22/01

Staff:  John Welsh (786‑7133).

Background: 

A Schedule II controlled substance is considered by law as a drug with currently accepted medical use, and with a high potential for abuse which may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.  It may not be dispensed to a patient without a written prescription.

Current federal law requires pharmacies to order Schedule II substances from manufacturers and wholesalers on triplicate order forms.  However, federal law is changing to allow orders through electronic means.

Summary of Bill: 

Physicians and their agents are authorized to facsimile transmit prescription information to a pharmacy, and the pharmacy is permitted to dispense the Schedule II substance based on the faxed prescription for patients in a long-term care facility or hospice licensed by the state.  In addition, a pharmacy can dispense a Schedule II injectable substance that is to be compounded for patient use pursuant to a fax.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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