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 671 Engrossed 2016 Regular Session Moreno
Abstract: Allows prescription drugs that were dispensed to persons in custody of a local law
enforcement agency to be returned, exchanged, and redispensed.
Present law requires that drugs dispensed for use by an offender in the custody of the Dept. of Public
Safety and Corrections be accepted for return, exchange, and redispensing.
Present law provides that the pharmacist in charge shall determine that the prescription is
unmolested, unexpired, and fit to be redispensed.
Present law releases the pharmaceutical manufacturer from liability for any claim or injury arising
from the redispensing of any prescription drug.
Proposed law retains present law, and extends the law to include prescriptions dispensed for use by
offenders in the custody of local law enforcement offices or departments.
Proposed law creates an exception to present law and proposed law. The exception stipulates that
a drug which can only be dispensed to a patient registered with the drug's manufacturer in accordance
with federal Food and Drug Administration requirements may not be accepted or distributed under
the provisions of the program provided for in present law and proposed law.
(Amends R.S. 37:1226.3(A) and (B))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Health and Welfare to the
original bill:
1. Revise provisions of present law and proposed law requiring that all drugs dispensed on
prescription to offenders in the custody of the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections
(DPS&C), or a local law enforcement office or department, be accepted for return,
exchange, or redispensing to provide instead that acceptance of such drugs is permissive
rather than mandatory.
2. Revise proposed law authorizing pharmacies operated by or under contract with DPS&C,
or with a local law enforcement office or department, to accept certain drugs for return,
exchange, or redispensing to provide instead that pharmacies that provide prescriptions to these correctional facilities are authorized to accept drugs for such purposes.
3. Stipulate that a drug which can only be dispensed to a patient registered with the drug's
manufacturer in accordance with federal Food and Drug Administration requirements
may not be accepted or distributed under the provisions of the program provided for in
present law and proposed law.
4. Make technical changes.