NJ A2020

Pharmacists in New Jersey would be prohibited from interchanging any anti-epileptic drug or formulation without first obtaining signed informed consent from both the prescribing physician and the patient (or parent, legal guardian, or spouse)

"Interchange" is broadly defined to include substituting generic for brand, brand for generic, generic from one manufacturer for another, different formulations, or different anti-epileptic products entirely

The restriction applies to all drugs prescribed for epilepsy treatment or seizure prevention, regardless of whether the prescription includes a "do not substitute" notation

The bill would take effect on the first day of the second month following enactment and supplements existing law P.L.1977, c.240 (C.24:6E-1 et seq.)

Sponsored by Assemblywoman Shama A. Haider (District 37, Bergen County) and pre-filed for introduction in the 2026 legislative session