CA AB2789

Health care practitioners authorized to issue prescriptions must have the capability to transmit electronic data transmission (e-prescriptions) as of January 1, 2022, and pharmacies must have the capability to receive them.

Prescriptions must be issued electronically unless specific exceptions apply, including temporary technological failures, prescriptions for out-of-state pharmacies, emergency department prescriptions under certain conditions, and situations where electronic transmission would impractically delay patient care.

Pharmacies must immediately notify prescribers if an electronic prescription fails or is not properly received, and must transfer prescriptions to alternative pharmacies at patient request.

Health care practitioners who fail to transmit controlled substance prescriptions electronically must document the reason in the patient's medical record within 72 hours.

Violations are referred to state professional licensing boards for administrative sanctions only; this section does not create private lawsuits against practitioners or limit liability for negligent diagnosis or treatment.