House passes bill allowing health-care facilities to send remaining multi-dose medication home with patients

The House passed House Bill 446 on a unanimous recorded vote, allowing licensed health-care facilities to send remaining multi-dose medications home with patients when clinically appropriate and properly labeled.

Representative Sanchez, the bill—s prime sponsor, told the chamber the measure grew out of a problem seen by ophthalmologists and other providers: "House bill 4 4 6 came to us from the ophthalmologist who noticed unnecessary waste in their practices. When patients come in for eye surgery, they're billed for a full bottle of prescription drops, but any remaining doses have to be thrown away." Sanchez said the bill would reduce waste, save money and help patients continue treatment without interruption.

The bill revises the Health Care Facilities Act provisions related to medications dispensed by facilities. Under the measure, facilities would be permitted to provide unused portions of multi-dose prescription medications to patients at discharge if the medication is labeled and the patient needs it to continue treatment. The House voted 203 to 0 on final passage.

The clerk will present the bill to the Senate for concurrence; the bill summary and legislative history were read on the House floor. The transcript records no floor amendments to HB446.

Supporters said the bill addresses a practical problem for patients who otherwise must seek prescriptions or emergency care after procedures if pharmacies are closed. The sponsor estimated the change would reduce waste and avoid extra expense and inconvenience for patients. No opponent statements or recorded no votes were indicated in the transcript.

Next steps: the bill is to be transmitted to the Senate for action; the effective date (if any) was not specified on the floor record.