SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5595

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

Allowing distribution of drug samples.

Senate Committee on Health Care & Corrections

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 23, 1989; February 27, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators West, Chairman; Smith, Vice Chairman; Johnson, Kreidler, Niemi, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Kris Zabriskie (786-7439)

                  March 3, 1989

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 3, 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.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

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

Senate Committee - Testified: Lars Hennum, Pharmacists of Washington (pro)