HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5565

As Reported by House Committee On:

Health Care

Title:  An act relating to controlled substance orders and prescriptions.

Brief Description:  Dispensing controlled substance orders and prescriptions.

Sponsors:  By Senate Committee on Health & Long‑Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Deccio, Thibaudeau and Kohl‑Welles).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care:  3/22/01, 3/23/01 [DPA].

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

(As Amended by House Committee)

$A Schedule II controlled substance may be dispensed to a patient in long-term care or hospice program by a facsimile copy of a prescription sent by a prescribing practitioner.

$The requirement that controlled substances may be distributed only pursuant to triplicate order forms is repealed.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended. Signed by 12 members: Representatives Campbell, Republican Co‑Chair; Cody, Democratic Co‑Chair; Schual‑Berke, Democratic Vice Chair; Skinner, Republican Vice Chair; Alexander, Ballasiotes, Darneille, Edmonds, Edwards, Marine, Pennington and Ruderman.

Staff:  John Welsh (786‑7133).

Background:

A Schedule II controlled substance is considered by law as a drug with currently accepted medical use, and with a high potential for abuse which may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.  It may not be dispensed to a patient without a written prescription.

Current federal law requires pharmacies to order Schedule II substances from manufacturers and wholesalers on triplicate order forms.  However, federal law is changing to allow orders through facsimile prescriptions.

Summary of  Amended Bill:

Physicians and their agents are authorized to facsimile transmit prescription information to a pharmacy, and the pharmacy is permitted to dispense the Schedule II substance based on the faxed prescription for patients in a long-term care facility or hospice program licensed by the state.  In addition, a pharmacy can dispense a Schedule II injectable substance that is to be compounded for patient use pursuant to a facsimile prescription.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:

The amendment clarifies the reference to hospice programs.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date of Amended Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This bill conforms to changes in federal law which apply to Washington State.  The change will facilitate the dispensing of controlled substances to patients in long-term care facilities.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Gail McGaffick, Washington State Hospice Organization; and Gordon Walgren, Washington State Pharmaceutical Association.