FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 1337

                                  C 247 L 89

BYHouse Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Cole, Braddock, Scott, Cantwell, Leonard and Dellwo)

Mandating imprinting of over-the-counter medications.

House Committe on Health Care

Senate Committee on Health Care & Corrections

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Current law requires the imprinting of all tablets, capsules and caplets of prescription drugs for the purpose of identifying the medication and manufacturer or distributor of the medication.  This requirement is enforced by the Board of Pharmacy.  However, there is no legal requirement for imprinting identification characteristics on over-the-counter (nonprescription) medications.

SUMMARY:

The imprinting of characteristics identifying the medication and manufacturer, or distributor, is required on all currently non-identified solid dosage, over-the-counter medications manufactured or sold in the state after January 1, 1994.  Vitamins are exempt from this requirement, as are medications which are identifiable due to their size, texture, or other unique characteristics.

Manufacturers must provide to the Board of Pharmacy (the board) an identification of each current imprint. The board is required to distribute this information to all pharmacies, poison control centers and hospital emergency rooms.

Drugs distributed in this state in violation of these requirements are considered contraband and are subject to seizure.  Purveyors of drugs who are in violation of these requirements are allowed one notice of noncompliance by the board and thereafter are subject to civil fines of $1,000 for each instance of noncompliance.

All over-the-counter medications manufactured in, received by, distributed in, or shipped to the state of Washington after January 1, 1993, must be imprinted.  All over-the-counter medications sold in this state after January 1, 1994, must be imprinted.

The requirements of this chapter will cease to exist on January 1, 1993 if the board determines that a federal system has been established which is substantially equivalent to the provisions of this chapter.  If the effective date of the federal system is later than January 1, 1993, then the requirements of this chapter will cease to exist on the effective date of the federal system.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 98   0

      Senate    43     0 (Senate amended)

      House 97   0 (House concurred)

EFFECTIVE:July 23, 1989