H.B. 71 Summary

• Establishes the Ohio Official Prescription Program and creates the Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System (drug database) for monitoring controlled substance misuse and diversion; the state board of pharmacy administers both programs.

• Requires prescribers and pharmacists to review database information pertaining to patients before issuing or dispensing drugs included in the database; grants all prescribers and pharmacists access to database information for patient treatment purposes.

• Implements an official prescription form requirement with security features (anti-counterfeiting, anti-copying, anti-erasure) and unique identification numbers; beginning 18 months after enactment, prescribers must use official forms and pharmacists cannot dispense from non-official forms, with exceptions for electronic prescriptions, facsimiles, oral orders, institutional facilities, and out-of-state prescriptions.

• Establishes program maintenance fees for prescribers based on prescription volume ($50-$100 annually for five years); exempts prescribers who issue prescriptions only electronically except for controlled substances.

• Creates the Ohio Official Prescription Program Fund to support program implementation and administration; imposes penalties for violations as a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.