Bill Summary: SB 135 - Pharmacy and Drug Control Statutes Revisions

• Controlled substance registration status may be changed to inactive if a practitioner fails to maintain professional licensure for more than 90 days, with reinstatement allowed without additional fees upon license restoration before registration expiration (effective October 1, 2020).

• Pharmacists may issue prescriptions for up to two epinephrine auto-injectors without physician authorization if the patient previously received one by prescription, the pharmacist identifies the current medical provider, and notifies that provider within 72 hours (effective from passage).

• Sterile compounding pharmacy notification requirements to Department of Consumer Protection increased from 10 days to 60 days prior to remodeling or relocating compounding areas, with emergency repairs requiring 24-hour written notification instead of "as soon as possible" (effective from passage).

• All controlled substance prescriptions must be electronically transmitted by prescribing practitioners, with exceptions for temporary technology failures, out-of-state pharmacies, patient care concerns, or demonstrated lack of technological capacity (effective from passage).

• Pharmacists must offer to counsel patients on dispensed drugs whenever practicable, either in person or by telephone, except when the person obtaining the prescription differs from the named patient or the pharmacist deems written notice appropriate (effective from passage).