TX HB5248

Transfers administration of the prescription drug safe disposal pilot program from the Texas State Board of Pharmacy to the Department of State Health Services, with rulemaking authority assigned to the Health and Human Services Commission executive commissioner

Expands collection to allow controlled substances, non-controlled prescription drugs, and over-the-counter drugs to be collected together and comingled in collection receptacles at participating pharmacies

Simplifies pharmacy eligibility requirements by removing the prohibition on pharmacies subject to opioid litigation and requiring only DEA registration eligibility and federal regulatory compliance

Requires funding from the opioid abatement account (changed from permissive "may" to mandatory "shall") and provides participating pharmacies with a one-time fee to offset initial costs plus ongoing collection receptacle maintenance and incineration costs

Prioritizes pharmacies for program participation if they do not currently collect prescription drugs under federal regulations or are located in rural or underserved areas designated by the department