HLS 15RS-1121 ENGROSSED
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 397
BY REPRESENTATIVE POPE
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
DRUGS/PRESCRIPTION: Provides relative to topical ophthalmic prescription refills
1 AN ACT
2To enact R.S. 37:1224.2, relative to the refilling of topical ophthalmic prescriptions; to
3 authorize a pharmacist to dispense early refills of topical ophthalmic prescriptions;
4 to provide for authorized prescriber authorization of early refills of topical
5 ophthalmic prescriptions; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for related
6 matters.
7Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
8 Section 1. R.S. 37:1224.2 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
9 ยง1224.2. Early refills; topical ophthalmic products
10 A. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, in order to prevent
11 unintended interruptions in drug therapy for topical ophthalmic products, a
12 pharmacist may dispense previously authorized refills on an original prescription for
13 a topical ophthalmic product at seventy percent of the predicted days of use without
14 obtaining subsequent authorization or a new prescription from the prescriber.
15 B. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, an authorized
16 prescriber may authorize refills on an original prescription for a topical ophthalmic
17 product to be dispensed earlier than seventy percent of the predicted days of use for
18 patients who have continual difficulty with inadvertent wastage.
19 C. This Section shall apply to refills purchased through retail pharmacies and
20 mail-order sources.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 15RS-1121 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 397
1 Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
2signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
3by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
4vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
5effective on the day following such approval.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 397 Engrossed 2015 Regular Session Pope
Abstract: Authorizes early refills for a topical ophthalmic product.
Proposed law authorizes a pharmacist to dispense previously authorized refills on an original
prescription for a topical ophthalmic product at 70% of the predicted days of use without
obtaining subsequent authorization or a new prescription from the prescriber.
Proposed law provides that an authorized prescriber may authorize refills on an original
prescription for a topical ophthalmic product to be dispensed earlier than 70% of the
predicted days of use for patients who have continual difficulty with inadvertent wastage.
Proposed law applies to refills purchased through retail pharmacies and mail-order sources.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 37:1224.2)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Health and Welfare to
the original bill:
1. Change the term "physician" to "authorized prescriber".
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.