SLS 16RS-365 ORIGINAL
2016 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 131
BY SENATOR JOHNS
HEALTH CARE. Provides for alternative options to prescription drugs. (8/1/16)
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 37:1165, relative to the practice of pharmacy; to provide for pharmacist
3 communication with patients; to provide for immunity; to provide for an effective
4 date; and to provide for related matters.
5 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. R.S. 37:1165 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
7 ยง1165. Affordable alternative options to prescription drugs
8 A. Pharmacists shall provide sufficient information to a patient to allow
9 them an opportunity to consider all relevant options when acquiring their
10 prescription medication, including but not limited to the cost and clinical
11 efficacy of a more affordable alternative if one is available.
12 B. The failure to comply with this Section shall not constitute a violation
13 of any contract or provision of any agreement to which the pharmacist or
14 pharmacy is a party.
15 C. No pharmacist shall be penalized by the board or any third party for
16 failure to comply with the provisions of this Section.
17 Section 2. This Act shall become effective on August 1, 2016; if vetoed by the
Page 1 of 2
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 131
SLS 16RS-365 ORIGINAL
1 governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become effective on
2 August 1, 2016, or on the day following such approval by the legislature, whichever is later.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Christine Arbo Peck.
DIGEST
SB 131 Original 2016 Regular Session Johns
Proposed law requires pharmacists to provide information on alternatives to prescription
drugs when there is a clinically effective, less costly alternative available. Further provides
that making this information available does not constitute a breach of contract or agreement.
Provides for immunity from penalization.
Effective August 1, 2016.
(Adds R.S. 37:1165)
Page 2 of 2
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.