Oklahoma Senate Bill SB1639

Oklahoma 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/7/22
• Refer: 2/8/22

Caption

Practice of pharmacy; prohibiting pharmacist from making certain inquiries; providing penalties. Effective date.

Impact

If enacted, SB1639 will significantly reshape the standards and regulations under which pharmacists operate in Oklahoma. By restricting communication between pharmacists and patients regarding prescription medications, it aims to safeguard patient privacy. However, it may also reduce the pharmacists’ ability to engage in dialogues that safeguard patient welfare, leading to ethical debates within the medical community about the balance between privacy and necessary medical inquiry.

Summary

Senate Bill 1639 is a new legislative proposal focused on the practice of pharmacy in Oklahoma. The bill specifically prohibits pharmacists from inquiring about the intended use of certain medications, namely chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, and ivermectin, when a valid prescription is presented. This stipulation aims to limit pharmacists' discretion regarding patient prescriptions and ensures that pharmacists do not question individuals about their conditions or reasons for using these drugs. This law is a response to the growing concern and potential misuse of these medications, especially in light of recent controversies surrounding their application in treating various health conditions.

Contention

Notably, the bill introduces severe penalties for non-compliance. If the State Board of Pharmacy determines that a pharmacist violates this law by inquiring about a prescription's intended use, the consequences are serious—immediate revocation of the pharmacist's license and a hefty fine of $100,000 per occurrence. This level of enforcement could create tensions between pharmacists who wish to ensure they, and their practices, adhere to legal requirements and those who might argue for the necessity of professional dialogue regarding patient prescriptions for these controversial drugs.