H.B. 1836 Summary

• Allows registered pharmacists to refill prescriptions for up to a 30-day supply during declared states of emergency without practitioner authorization if the practitioner is unavailable and the pharmacist determines the refill is necessary to prevent interruption of patient care.

• Requires pharmacists to make reasonable efforts to contact the practitioner before refilling and to maintain records documenting the basis for the emergency refill.

• Requires pharmacists to inform patients that prescriptions were refilled under emergency provisions and to notify the prescribing practitioner within 24 hours by phone, facsimile, or email.

• Provides liability protection to prescribing practitioners for emergency refills dispensed by pharmacists under this authority.

• Prohibits pharmacists from refilling controlled substances under these emergency provisions and clarifies that possession of substances dispensed under emergency authority is legal.