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 548 Original 2018 Regular Session Dustin Miller
Abstract: Requires prescribers to transmit drug prescriptions to pharmacies electronically.
Proposed law requires prescribers of drug prescriptions to transmit request electronically.
Proposed law provides the following as exceptions to electronic prescriptions:
(1) Veterinarians.
(2) Circumstances where electronic prescribing is not available due to temporary technological or
electrical failure.
(3) By a practitioner to be dispensed by a pharmacy located outside the state.
(4) When the prescriber and dispenser are the same entity.
(5) Elements that are not supported by the most recently implemented version of the National
Council for Prescription Drug Programs Prescriber/Pharmacist Interface SCRIPT Standard.
(6) Issued by a practitioner for a drug that the federal Food and Drug Administration requires the
prescription to contain certain elements that are not able to be accomplished with electronic
prescribing.
(7) By a practitioner allowing for the dispensing of a non-patient specific prescription pursuant to
a standing order, approved protocol for drug therapy, collaborative drug management or
comprehensive medication management, in response to a public health emergency, or other
circumstances where the practitioner may issue a non-patient specific prescription.
(8) By a practitioner prescribing a drug under a research protocol.
(9) By practitioners who have received a waiver or a renewal thereof from the requirement to use
electronic prescribing.
(10) By a practitioner under circumstances where, notwithstanding the practitioner's present ability
to make an electronic prescription as required by this Subsection, such practitioner reasonably
determines that it would be impractical for the patient to obtain substances prescribed by electronic
prescription in a timely manner, and such delay would adversely impact the patient's medical
condition Proposed law adds a fine of $250 per violation of violators of this provision. The fine shall not
exceed $1000.
Proposed law places the duty of enforcement of proposed law on the Louisiana Board of Medical
Examiners, Louisiana Board of Pharmacy, and the Louisiana Board of Dentistry.
Proposed law allows the boards to establish rules to carry out proposed law.
(Adds R.S. 37:1701.1-1701.3 )