SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 1469
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Health & Long‑Term Care, March 28, 2001
Title: An act relating to controlled substance orders and prescriptions.
Brief Description: Dispensing controlled substance orders and prescriptions.
Sponsors: By House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Campbell and Cody).
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Health & Long‑Term Care: 3/19/01, 3/28/01 [DPA].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG‑TERM CARE
Majority Report: Do pass as amended.
Signed by Senators Thibaudeau, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Costa, Deccio, Fraser, Parlette and Winsley.
Staff: Joan K. Mell (786‑7447)
Background: Schedule II controlled substances are drugs regulated under the state Uniform Controlled Substances Act and federal law. The law requires a prescription for these drugs to be dispensed. Common names for some of the Schedule II drugs are morphine, methadone, and Ritalin. The Federal Drug Enforcement Administration is streamlining its procedures, and by rule has authorized the use of facsimile prescriptions from physician to pharmacy under certain circumstances.
Summary of Amended 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.
Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill: Clarifying language and format changes are made.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: The bill brings the state into compliance with federal law and improves efficiency. The bill expedites filling prescriptions in rural and urban settings. Language changes are recommended regarding a licensed hospice.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Gordon Walgren, WA State Pharmacists (pro w/amend.); Gail McGaffick, WA State Hospice Org. (pro w/amend.); Ron Weaver, WA DOH (pro w/amend).