Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases the number of times a pharmacist may dispense without a prescription a life-saving medication in a calendar year from one to three.

Highlights:

• Prohibits a health benefit plan from imposing a cost-sharing requirement for a drug that is greater than those imposed when that drug is dispensed in accordance with a prescription issued by a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs (Sec. 3902.70.B).

• Authorizes a pharmacist to dispense a dangerous drug, other than a schedule II controlled substance without a prescription from a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs if all of the following conditions are met (Sec. 4729.281.A):

• The pharmacy at which the pharmacist practices has a record of a prescription for the drug in the name of the patient who is requesting it, but the prescription does not provide for a refill or the time permitted by rules adopted by the state board of pharmacy for providing refills has elapsed;

• The pharmacist is unable to obtain authorization to refill the prescription from the prescriber who issued the prescription or another prescriber responsible for the patient's care; and

• In the exercise of professional judgment, the pharmacist determines that both of the following are the case:

• The drug is essential to sustain the life of the patient or continue therapy for a chronic condition of the patient; and

• Failure to dispense the drug to the patient could result in harm to the health of the patient.

• Prohibits the drug being dispensed more than once or the amount exceeding a 72 hour supply based on the original prescription (Sec. 4729.281-3-1).

• Specifies if the drug is not a controlled substance and the patient has been on a consistent drug therapy as demonstrated by records maintained by a pharmacy, the drug may be dispensed not more than three times in any 12 month period, none of which are to be consecutive in time, and, shall not exceed one 30 day supply as provided in based on the original prescription or, if the standard unit of dispensing for the drug exceeds a 30 day supply, the amount will not exceed one standard unit of dispensing (Sec. 4729.281-2.a).

• Authorizes a pharmacist to dispense naltrexone without a prescription from a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs if all of the following conditions are met (Sec. Sec. 4729.283.A):

• The pharmacist is able to verify a record of a prescription for the injectable long-acting or extended-release form of naltrexone in the name of the patient who is requesting the drug, but the prescription does not provide for a refill or the time permitted by rules adopted by the state board of pharmacy for providing refills has elapsed;

• The pharmacist is unable to obtain authorization to refill the prescription from the prescriber who issued it or another prescriber responsible for the patient's care; or

• In the exercise of professional judgment, the pharmacist determines that both of the following are the case:

• The drug is necessary to continue the patient's therapy for substance use disorder; and

• Failure to dispense the drug to the patient could result in harm to the health of the patient.

• Requires a pharmacist to exercise professional judgment in determining the number of times naltrexone may be dispensed to the same patient (Sec. 4729.283.E).

Full Bill Text