SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2588

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Health & Long‑Term Care, February 21, 2002

Title:  An act relating to information required to appear on a prescription label.

Brief Description:  Modifying the information required on a prescription label.

Sponsors:  Representatives Skinner and Cody.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Health & Long‑Term Care:  2/20/02, 2/21/02 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG‑TERM CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators Thibaudeau, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Costa, Deccio, Fraser and Winsley.

Staff:  Tanya Karwaki (786‑7447)

Background:  Under current law, a prescription label must provide information about the dispensed drug, the prescriber, and the dispensing pharmacy.  In addition, the pharmacist who dispenses the medication must initial the prescription label.  In the 18 years since this statute was last modified, there have been technological advances in pharmacy record keeping and many pharmacies now use electronic record keeping systems.

Summary of Bill:  The information required on a prescription label is updated and the identification of the pharmacist responsible for dispensing the medication is allowed to be recorded either in the pharmacy's record system or on the prescription label.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This bill makes technical changes to the current law.  It provides an option for the identification of the pharmacist responsible for dispensing a medication.  The pharmacist may be identified either on the prescription label or in the pharmacy's record system.  This bill will allow pharmacists to perform more clinical duties.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Doug Beeman, Group Health (pro); Dedi Hitchens, Washington Retail Association Retail Pharmacy Council (pro).