Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman NANCY J. PINKIN
District 18 (Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Requires pharmacies to effectuate drug discontinuation orders.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning prescriptions and amending P.L.2003, c.280.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 19 of P.L.2003, c.280 (C.45:14-58) is amended to read as follows:
19. a. Nothing contained in this act shall preclude a practitioner from transmitting to a pharmacist by telephone or electronic means a prescription, as otherwise authorized by law, if that practitioner provides the practitioner's Drug Enforcement Administration registration number and the practitioner's license number, or any other federally identified number, as appropriate, to the pharmacist at the time the practitioner transmits the prescription.
b. Except as may be otherwise permitted by law, no prescription for any Schedule II controlled dangerous substance shall be given or transmitted to pharmacists, in any other manner, than in writing signed by the practitioner giving or transmitting the same, nor shall such prescription be renewed or refilled. The requirement in this subsection that a prescription for any controlled dangerous substance be given or transmitted to pharmacists in writing signed by the practitioner shall not apply to a prescription for a Schedule II drug if that prescription is transmitted or prepared in compliance with federal and State regulations.
c. (1) Each vendor that sells, leases, or licenses for use an electronic health records system that is used to electronically transmit prescriptions in this State on the effective date of P.L.2017, c.338 shall ensure that the system meets all federal requirements for the system to accept, process, and transmit prescriptions for Schedule II controlled dangerous substances no later than one year after the effective date of P.L.2017, c.338 as a condition of continuing to sell, lease, or license for use the electronic health records system in this State. Each vendor that commences selling, leasing, or licensing for use an electronic health records system that is used to electronically transmit prescriptions in this State after the effective date of P.L.2017, c.338 shall ensure that the system meets all federal requirements for the system to accept, process, and transmit prescriptions for Schedule II controlled dangerous substances as a condition of selling, leasing, or licensing for use the electronic health records system in this State.
(2) The requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not apply to a telemedicine or telehealth organization, as that term is defined in section 1 of P.L.2017, c.117 (C.45:1-61), that exclusively provides telehealth and telemedicine services. [(cf: P.L.2003, c.280, s.19)]
d. A pharmacy practice site shall remove from its electronic records system any prescription listed on the patient’s health records upon the request of the patient’s practitioner, as determined by the board.
(cf: P.L.2017, c.338)
2. This act shall take effect 240 days after the date of enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill requires pharmacies to effectuate drug discontinuation orders. Under the bill, a pharmacy is to remove from its electronic records system any prescription listed on the patient’s health records upon the request of the patient’s health care practitioner, as determined by the State Board of Pharmacy (board), which permits the board to make, adopt, amend, and repeal rules and regulations necessary for the proper administration and enforcement of this bill.