HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 5595

BYSenators Nelson, Wojahn, Smith, Conner, Newhouse, Niemi, von Reichbauer and Johnson

Allowing distribution of drug samples.

House Committe on Health Care

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (9)

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

House Staff:John Welsh (786-7133)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 12, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In 1987 the federal government enacted a comprehensive regulatory law governing the manner and extent to which pharmaceutical manufacturers may distribute sample controlled substances to physicians and other prescribers.  State law, for the most part, parallels federal law in this area except that it does not allow pharmaceutical manufacturers to distribute drug samples to hospital pharmacies or other health care entities.

SUMMARY:

Pharmaceutical manufacturers or their representatives may distribute drug samples to hospital pharmacies or other health care entities 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:    Gary Nelson, State Senator and 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.