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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 882 FILED ON: 1/17/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2249
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Edward R. Philips
_________________
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to the availability of prescription medication during an emergency.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Edward R. Philips8th Norfolk1/11/2023 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 882 FILED ON: 1/17/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2249
By Representative Philips of Sharon, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2249) of
Edward R. Philips relative to the availability of prescription medication during an emergency.
Public Health.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 2387 OF 2021-2022.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act relative to the availability of prescription medication during an emergency.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Chapter 111 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby
2amended by adding the following section:-
3 Section 236. (a) The department shall, in consultation with the board of registration in
4pharmacy, the division of insurance, the office of Medicaid and the Massachusetts emergency
5management agency, develop and publicize a statewide plan for ensuring the availability of
6prescription medications during a state of emergency declared by the governor. The plan shall, at
7a minimum: 2 of 2
8 (1) allow for early refills of prescriptions, if the current amount that a patient possesses is
9not expected to last beyond 10 days of the date of the declaration of emergency; provided,
10however, that a pharmacist shall confirm such prescription with the prescriber before each refill;
11 (2) ensure that vehicles delivering medications to pharmacies and hospitals shall be given
12the same road access available to other emergency vehicles;
13 (3) coordinate among pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors,
14pharmacists and other industry stakeholders;
15 (4) avoid duplicative or redundant supply chain infrastructure; and
16 (5) create a safety net system, including a toll-free telephone number and a website for
17persons to contact during the emergency for assistance in locating prescription medication, in the
18event no medications are available to them locally.
19 (b) If the governor declares a state of emergency pursuant to section 2A, chapter 639 of
20the acts of 1950, or any other applicable law, the commissioner shall implement the statewide
21plan for ensuring the availability of prescription medications for the duration of the state of
22emergency.