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2016 Statute



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65-1637. Pharmacist required to be in charge of pharmacy; compounding, filling and refilling of prescriptions; refusal to fill; brand exchange. [See Revisor's Note] In every store, shop or other place defined in this act as a "pharmacy" there shall be a pharmacist in charge and, except as otherwise provided by law, the compounding and dispensing of prescriptions shall be limited to pharmacists only. Except as otherwise provided by the pharmacy act of this state, when a pharmacist is not in attendance at a pharmacy, the premises shall be enclosed and secured. Prescription orders may be written, oral, telephonic or by electronic transmission unless prohibited by law. Blank forms for written prescription orders may have two signature lines. If there are two lines, one signature line shall state: "Dispense as written" and the other signature line shall state: "Brand exchange permissible." Prescriptions shall only be filled or refilled in accordance with the following requirements:

(a) All prescriptions shall be filled in strict conformity with any directions of the prescriber, except:

(1) That a pharmacist may provide up to three-month supply of a prescription drug that is not a controlled substance or psychotherapeutic drug when a practitioner has written a drug order to be filled with a smaller supply but included sufficient numbers of refills for a three-month supply; and

(2) that a pharmacist who receives a prescription order for a brand name drug product may exercise brand exchange with a view toward achieving a lesser cost to the purchaser unless:

(A) The prescriber, in the case of a prescription signed by the prescriber and written on a blank form containing two signature lines, signs the signature line following the statement "dispense as written,"

(B) the prescriber, in the case of a prescription signed by the prescriber, writes in the prescriber's own handwriting "dispense as written" on the prescription,

(C) the prescriber, in the case of a prescription other than one in writing signed by the prescriber, expressly indicates the prescription is to be dispensed as communicated, or

(D) the federal food and drug administration has determined that a drug product of the same generic name is not bioequivalent to the prescribed brand name prescription medication.

(b) Prescription orders shall be recorded in writing by the pharmacist and the record so made by the pharmacist shall constitute the original prescription to be dispensed by the pharmacist. This record, if telephoned by other than the physician shall bear the name of the person so telephoning. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as altering or affecting in any way laws of this state or any federal act requiring a written prescription order.

(c) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), no prescription shall be refilled unless authorized by the prescriber either in the original prescription or by oral order which is reduced promptly to writing and filled by the pharmacist.

(2) A pharmacist may refill a prescription order issued on or after the effective date of this act for any prescription drug except a drug listed on schedule II of the uniform controlled substances act or a narcotic drug listed on any schedule of the uniform controlled substances act without the prescriber's authorization when all reasonable efforts to contact the prescriber have failed and when, in the pharmacist's professional judgment, continuation of the medication is necessary for the patient's health, safety and welfare. Such prescription refill shall only be in an amount judged by the pharmacist to be sufficient to maintain the patient until the prescriber can be contacted, but in no event shall a refill under this paragraph be more than a seven day supply or one package of the drug. However, if the prescriber states on a prescription that there shall be no emergency refilling of that prescription, then the pharmacist shall not dispense any emergency medication pursuant to that prescription. A pharmacist who refills a prescription order under this subsection (c)(2) shall contact the prescriber of the prescription order on the next business day subsequent to the refill or as soon thereafter as possible. No pharmacist shall be required to refill any prescription order under this subsection (c)(2). A prescriber shall not be subject to liability for any damages resulting from the refilling of a prescription order by a pharmacist under this subsection (c)(2) unless such damages are occasioned by the gross negligence or willful or wanton acts or omissions by the prescriber.

(d) If any prescription order contains a provision that the prescription may be refilled a specific number of times within or during any particular period, such prescription shall not be refilled except in strict conformity with such requirements.

(e) If a prescription order contains a statement that during any particular time the prescription may be refilled at will, there shall be no limitation as to the number of times that such prescription may be refilled except that it may not be refilled after the expiration of the time specified or one year after the prescription was originally issued, whichever occurs first.

(f) Any pharmacist who exercises brand exchange and dispenses a less expensive drug product shall not charge the purchaser more than the regular and customary retail price for the dispensed drug.

Nothing contained in this section shall be construed as preventing a pharmacist from refusing to fill or refill any prescription if in the pharmacist's professional judgment and discretion such pharmacist is of the opinion that it should not be filled or refilled.

History: L. 1953, ch. 290, § 23; L. 1975, ch. 319, § 23; L. 1978, ch. 242, § 2; L. 1979, ch. 194, § 1; L. 1986, ch. 231, § 25; L. 1991, ch. 188, § 1; L. 1994, ch. 247, § 3; L. 1998, ch. 87, § 1; L. 2005, ch. 88, § 1; L. 2007, ch. 19, § 1; L. 2012, ch. 121, § 1; July 1.

Section was amended twice in the 2012 session, see also 65-1637c.



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