HB 5874 Summary

• Adds new section 17751a to the Public Health Code to allow pharmacists to dispense emergency refills of non-controlled prescription drugs during qualified executive orders without prior prescriber authorization.

• Permits up to a 60-day emergency supply refill when a pharmacist determines in professional judgment that failure to refill might interrupt patient care and adversely affect the patient's well-being.

• Requires pharmacists to inform patients that prescriptions were dispensed under emergency provisions and notify prescribers in writing within a reasonable time of any emergency refills dispensed.

• Defines "qualified executive order" as an executive order issued during a declared state of emergency under the Emergency Management Act (1976 PA 390) or 1945 PA 302 that directs residents to remain in residences with limited exceptions for at least 2 weeks.

• Mandates pharmacists make reasonable efforts to contact the prescriber before dispensing emergency refills and maintain records of those contact attempts and reasons for the refill.