2025 -- H 5633

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LC001849

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHARMACIES

     

     Introduced By: Representatives McGaw, Boylan, Speakman, Kislak, Casimiro, Casey,
DeSimone, Tanzi, Edwards, and Donovan

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2025

     Referred To: House Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 5-19.1 of the General Laws entitled "Pharmacies" is hereby amended

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by adding thereto the following section:

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     5-19.1-37. Continuation of therapy prescription refill.

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     (a) In the event a pharmacist receives a request for a prescription refill, and the pharmacist

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is unable to readily obtain refill authorization from the prescriber, or the patient does not have a

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prescriber, the pharmacist may dispense a one-time refill for continuation of therapy, up to, but no

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more than one hundred (100) days of the prescribed medication provided that:

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     (1) The prescription is not for a drug in Schedule II-V appearing in chapter 28 of title 21

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("uniform controlled substances act");

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     (2) The medication is essential to the maintenance of life or to the continuation of therapy

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of a chronic condition;

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     (3) In the pharmacist's professional judgment, the interruption of therapy might reasonably

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produce undesirable health consequences or may cause physical or mental discomfort; and

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     (4) The dispensing pharmacist notifies the prescriber of the dispensing within seven (7)

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business days. If no current prescriber exists, the pharmacist shall document such in their internal

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record keeping system.

 

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHARMACIES

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     This act would allow a pharmacist to dispense a one-time refill for certain medications for

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continuation of therapy to patients under certain circumstances.

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     This act would take effect on July 1, 2025.

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LC001849

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