SB39 Summary

• Amends Section 34-23-8 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to allow pharmacists to dispense either brand name or generic equivalent drugs unless the practitioner indicates otherwise.

• Eliminates the existing prohibition on dispensing a different drug or brand without express permission, replacing it with a default permission model for generic substitution.

• Removes the requirement for written prescriptions to contain two signature lines labeled "dispense as written" and "product selection permitted."

• Removes the requirement for oral prescriptions to specify whether a generic drug product may be dispensed.

• Maintains penalties of up to $1,000 fine for violations and requires pharmacists to record and label the actual drug product dispensed on the prescription form.