2025 -- H 5633
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LC001849
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025
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A N A C T
RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHARMACIES
Introduced By: Representatives McGaw, Boylan, Speakman, Kislak, Casimiro, Casey,
DeSimone, Tanzi, Edwards, and Donovan
Date Introduced: February 26, 2025
Referred To: House Health & Human Services
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 5-19.1 of the General Laws entitled "Pharmacies" is hereby amended 1
by adding thereto the following section: 2
5-19.1-37. Continuation of therapy prescription refill. 3
(a) In the event a pharmacist receives a request for a prescription refill, and the pharmacist 4
is unable to readily obtain refill authorization from the prescriber, or the patient does not have a 5
prescriber, the pharmacist may dispense a one-time refill for continuation of therapy, up to, but no 6
more than one hundred (100) days of the prescribed medication provided that: 7
(1) The prescription is not for a drug in Schedule II-V appearing in chapter 28 of title 21 8
("uniform controlled substances act"); 9
(2) The medication is essential to the maintenance of life or to the continuation of therapy 10
of a chronic condition; 11
(3) In the pharmacist's professional judgment, the interruption of therapy might reasonably 12
produce undesirable health consequences or may cause physical or mental discomfort; and 13
(4) The dispensing pharmacist notifies the prescriber of the dispensing within seven (7) 14
business days. If no current prescriber exists, the pharmacist shall document such in their internal 15
record keeping system. 16
LC001849 - Page 2 of 3
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2025. 1
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LC001849
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LC001849 - Page 3 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHARMACIES
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This act would allow a pharmacist to dispense a one-time refill for certain medications for 1
continuation of therapy to patients under certain circumstances. 2
This act would take effect on July 1, 2025. 3
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LC001849
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