FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 6192

                              C 218 L 90

BYSenators West, Stratton, McCaslin and Kreidler

Revising provisions for substitution of generic drugs.

Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

House Committe on Health Care

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Pharmacists may substitute generic drugs for more expensive name brand prescriptions when the prescribing provider designates whether the substitution is permitted on a two-line prescription form.  This requirement applies to both in-state and out-of-state prescriptions.  A number of other states, including Oregon, permit generic substitution but do not require or use two-line prescription forms.  Washington pharmacists who fill Oregon prescriptions therefore cannot legally substitute lower cost generic drugs.  Although the Pharmacy Board has not received complaints about generic substitution by local pharmacies in border areas to date, upon complaint, it will enforce the law as to any regional-service mail-order pharmacies that may be established.

SUMMARY:

Pharmacists may substitute equivalent generic drugs for out-of-state prescriptions where the state of origin uses a one-line prescription form or its equivalent, unless the prescription indicates that substitutions are not permitted.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Senate   40    0

     House 97  0

EFFECTIVE:March 27, 1990