Virginia House Bill HB1166

Virginia 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/10/24
• Refer: 1/10/24

Caption

Central fill pharmacies; establishes requirements.

Impact

The enactment of HB 1166 is anticipated to modify existing regulations related to the handling and delivery of prescription medications. By allowing pharmacies to outsource the filling of prescriptions to central fill facilities, it aims to enhance the efficiency of pharmacy operations and ensure that patients have timely access to their medications. Notably, this may lead to reduced wait times for patients, particularly for non-federally controlled substances. However, pharmacies engaged in these transactions must maintain rigorous standards to safeguard patient information and ensure the integrity of the medications being shipped.

Summary

House Bill 1166 introduces new regulations governing central fill pharmacies in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The bill establishes definitions for 'central fill' and 'originating pharmacy', and outlines the conditions under which pharmacies may outsource the drug filling process. Central fill pharmacies must ensure compliance with both state and federal regulations regarding patient confidentiality and drug safety, and hold a permit from the Board of Pharmacy. The legislation seeks to streamline the process by which prescription orders may be filled and delivered to patients, potentially improving access to medications.

Contention

Potential points of contention surrounding HB 1166 may include concerns from advocacy groups or patient safety organizations regarding the outsourcing of prescription filling. Critics might argue that delegating the medication fulfillment process could compromise the standards of care, particularly if central fill pharmacies are not held to the same scrutiny as traditional pharmacies. Additionally, there may be worries about ensuring that patients are adequately informed when their prescriptions are being filled by a central fill facility, thus emphasizing the importance of clear communication among pharmacies and patients.