SRC-DBM S.B. 511 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 511
By: Madla
Health Services
2/22/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas pharmacists are required to type or pre-print their labels
with the words, "Caution: federal law prohibits dispensing without a
prescription."  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires drug
manufacturers to print "Caution:  federal law prohibits dispensing without
a prescription" on prescription labels for dangerous drugs.  Recently, the
FDA has allowed manufacturers to alter the labeling requirement by printing
"Rx only."  S.B. 511 will require any "dangerous drug" to bear the legend:
"Caution:  federal law prohibits dispensing without a prescription" or, at
a minimum, "Rx only." 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 511 revises the definition of a dangerous drug.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subdivsion (15), Article 4542a-1, V.T.C.S., to redefine
"dangerous drug," as any drug or device that bears or is required to bear
the legend:  "Caution:  federal law prohibits dispensing without
prescription" or, at a minimum, "Rx only." 

SECTION 2.  Amends Subdivision (2), Section 483.001, Human Resources Code,
to make conforming changes. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4.  Emergency clause.