1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the provision of a drug by a physician to certain
 1-3     indigent patients.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Section 158.001, Occupations Code, is amended by
 1-6     adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
 1-7           (c)  This chapter does not prohibit a physician from
 1-8     supplying  to a patient, free of charge, a drug provided to the
 1-9     physician by a drug manufacturer for an indigent pharmaceutical
1-10     program if, in the physician's opinion, it is advantageous to the
1-11     patient, in adhering to a course of treatment prescribed by the
1-12     physician, to receive the drug.
1-13           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
1-14     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
1-15     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
1-16     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
1-17     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
         _______________________________     _______________________________
             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House
               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 332 passed the Senate on
         March 1, 2001, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0, one
         present, not voting.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Secretary of the Senate
               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 332 passed the House on
         May 23, 2001, by the following vote:  Yeas 145, Nays 0, two
         present, not voting.
                                             _______________________________
                                                Chief Clerk of the House
         Approved:
         _______________________________
                      Date
         _______________________________
                    Governor