BILL REQ. #:  H-4237.1 

Read first time 01/17/2006.   Referred to Committee on Health Care.

     AN ACT Relating to preferred drug substitutions; and amending RCW 69.41.190.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 69.41.190 and 2003 1st sp.s. c 29 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (a) "Nonpreferred drug" means all other drugs in the same therapeutic class as any preferred drug.
     (b) "Preferred drug" means any drug that is preferred pursuant to an evidence-based prescription drug program established under RCW 70.14.050.
     (2) Any pharmacist filling a prescription under a state purchased health care program as defined in RCW 41.05.011(2) shall substitute, where identified, a preferred drug for any nonpreferred drug in a given therapeutic class, unless the endorsing practitioner has indicated on the prescription that the nonpreferred drug must be dispensed as written, or the prescription is for a refill of an antipsychotic, antidepressant, chemotherapy, antiretroviral, or immunosuppressive drug, in which case the pharmacist shall dispense the prescribed nonpreferred drug.
     (((2))) (3) When a substitution is made under subsection (((1))) (2) of this section, the dispensing pharmacist shall notify the prescribing practitioner of the specific drug and dose dispensed.