HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1700

BYRepresentatives Leonard, Prentice, Patrick, Crane, Anderson, Braddock, Brooks, Moyer, Cooper, Zellinsky and Youngsman

Allowing distribution of drug samples.

House Committe on Health Care

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Braddock, Chair; Day, Vice; Chair; Brooks, Ranking Republican Member; Cantwell, Chandler, Morris, Prentice, Sommers, Sprenkle, Vekich and Wolfe.

House Staff:John Welsh (786-7133)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE MARCH 1, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In 1987 the legislature enacted a comprehensive regulatory law governing the distribution of sample controlled substances by pharmaceutical manufacturers to physicians and other prescribers.  A recent federal law covering the same subject parallels the Washington law but differs in some respects.  State law does not cover the distribution of drug samples to pharmacies of hospitals or other health care entities.

SUMMARY:

Pharmaceutical manufacturers or their representatives may distribute drug samples to pharmacies of hospitals or other health care entities upon request of prescribing practitioners and, with a written receipt upon delivery returned to the manufacturer.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Lars Hennum, Pharmacists of Washington.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    This legislation is necessary in order for hospital pharmacies to receive drug samples from pharmaceutical manufacturers. It also conforms state law with federal law.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.