It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 5-37-18.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-37 entitled "Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline" is hereby amended to read as follows:

{ADD 5-37-18.1. Physicians required to authorize product selection. -- ADD} Every licensed Rhode Island physician when prescribing any drug by brand name shall in each such prescription oral or written authorize a less expensive generic equivalent drug product by signing {DEL on the line marked "substitution allowed" DEL} {ADD the prescription, ADD} provided, however, that, if in the professional judgment of the prescribing physician the brand name is medically necessary, the physician shall {DEL sign on the line marked "dispense as written" DEL} {ADD write in their own handwriting in a designated box "brand name necessary" ADD} on the prescription form.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect January 1, 1996.