Canadian Drug Importation |
Faxed Prescriptions for Schedule II Narcotics
| Patient Choice of Prescription Drugs
Canadian Drug Importation
SB 410 by Sen. John Whitmire (D-Houston) and Rep. Vicki Truitt
(R-Keller) reauthorized the continuation of the Texas State Board
of Pharmacy, which underwent sunset review during the legislative
session. In the last days of session, Rep. Scott Hochberg
(D-Houston) amended the bill to allow the board to designate at
least one, but as many as 10, Canadian pharmacies to dispense
prescription drugs to Texas residents. The board or its agent is
required to inspect at least annually the pharmacy (ies) prior to
designating it as approved, and adopt rules and regulations,
including a requirement that the pharmacy meet Texas licensing
standards. To promote the program, the pharmacy board must
establish an Internet site to provide information to patients.
Texas pharmacies may, with patient consent, order prescription
drugs through an approved Canadian pharmacy. A Canadian pharmacy
participating in the program must obtain a prescription before
dispensing a product and may only dispense a prescription drug that
is FDA-approved. TMA took no position on the bill.
Faxed Prescriptions for Schedule II Narcotics
SB 1188 by Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Lewisville) and Rep. Dianne
Delisi (R-Temple) eliminates the requirement that a physician send
a faxed copy of a Schedule II narcotic prescription to the
pharmacist within seven days so long as the physician or his agent
writes across the fax, "VOID-sent by fax to (name and telephone of
receiving pharmacy)" and files the prescription in the patient's
medical record. The language mirrors bills filed by Sen. Bob Deuell
(R-Denton) and Rep. Chuck Hopson (D-Jacksonville).
Patient Choice of Prescription Drugs
HB 836 by Rep. Dan Gattis (R-Georgetown) and Sen. Steve Ogden
(R-Bryan) allows patients, at the point of sale, to choose a brand
or generic drug after consultation with her physician.
Currently,pharmacists may fill a prescription with a generic
equivalent before the patient picks up the medication. Patients may
not realize the drug has been substituted or, if they have, may be
reluctant to request that it be refilled with a brand name. Before
filling a new prescription, the pharmacist must inform the patient
that a generically equivalent product is available and allow the
patient to choose between brand name and the generic. Pharmacists
also must display publicly a sign informing patients that a less
expensive generic is available and that patients have the right to
choose. Additionally, the bill requires a pharmacist to inform a
patient when a drug costs less than the price of her insurance
copayment and that she can purchase the drug at the lower cost.
Prescription Drug TMA Staff Contacts:
- Hilary Dennis, Legislative Affairs, (512) 370-1370
- Helen Kent Davis, Governmental Affairs, (512) 370-1401
- C.J. Francisco, JD, Office of the General Counsel, (512)
370-1339
Overview
|
Tax Reform
|
Scope of Practice
|
Physician Ownership
|
Inadequate Health Plan Networks
(Balanced Billing)
|
Managed Care/Insurance Reform
|
Texas State Board of Medical
Examiners Sunset and Physician Licensure
|
Agency Sunset Review
|
Corporate Practice of Medicine
|
Health Care Funding
|
Medicaid and CHIP
|
Indigent Care and the
Uninsured
|
Workers' Compensation
|
Professional Liability Reform
|
Medical Education/Workforce
|
Child Health, Safety, and
Nutrition/Fitness
|
Public Health
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Border Health
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Rural Health
|
Mental Health
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Trauma/EMS
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Medical Science
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Long-Term Care
|
Abortion
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Transplantation/Organ Donation
|
Table of Contents
Last Updated On
April 02, 2012
Originally Published On
March 23, 2010