New Jersey Assembly Bill A1835

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Requires pharmacy practice sites to document reasons for not filling certain prescriptions.

Impact

The bill seeks to enhance accountability and transparency in pharmacy operations, ensuring that patients are informed about the reasons behind any refusal to fill a prescription. It establishes a clearer communication process between pharmacies, patients, and healthcare professionals, which could lead to better patient understanding and care continuity. Additionally, it emphasizes that pharmacies cannot override the authority of licensed healthcare providers in determining the legality of prescriptions.

Summary

Assembly Bill A1835 aims to amend existing state regulations regarding pharmacy practice sites by requiring them to document the reasons for not filling certain prescriptions. Specifically, if a pharmacy finds a prescription to be unlawful, it must not only state the specific law violated but also provide a brief explanation of the reasoning. This documentation must be maintained in the pharmacy's patient profile system and made available to both the patient and the prescribing physician within 72 hours of deciding not to fill the prescription.

Contention

However, the proposed bill may raise concerns around potential conflicts between pharmacy operations and personal beliefs. The legislation states that pharmacies should fill lawful prescriptions without undue delay, even in cases where employees may have moral or religious objections to certain prescriptions. This raises questions about the balance between respecting individual employee rights and ensuring patient access to prescribed medication, which could lead to ethical debates and varying interpretations of the law.