HB84 Summary

• Amends Section 34-23-8 of the Alabama Code to require electronic prescriptions to specify whether generic drug substitution is permitted, matching existing requirements for written prescriptions.

• Written prescriptions issued in Alabama must contain two signature lines: one for "dispense as written" and one for "product selection permitted," with the practitioner selecting the appropriate line to communicate authorization for generic substitution.

• Oral or electronic prescriptions must instruct the pharmacist whether a less expensive pharmaceutically and therapeutically equivalent drug product may be dispensed, with pharmacists required to note these instructions on file copies.

• Violations of prescription requirements are subject to fines of up to $1,000.

• Effective date is the first day of the third month following passage and gubernatorial approval.