BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 420

By: Buckingham

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There are concerns that requiring pharmacists to check the prescription monitoring program prior to providing a refill of opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or carisoprodol adds an administrative burden on pharmacists and can cause delays for consumers. It has been pointed out that this requirement has a limited benefit to public safety since the most widely abused prescription drugs are not eligible for refills. S.B. 420 seeks to address these concerns by excepting a dispenser from the requirement to check the prescription monitoring program when refilling a prescription for these drugs.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 420 amends the Health and Safety Code to except a dispenser from the requirement to access official prescription information before prescribing or dispensing opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or carisoprodol if the dispenser is refilling a prescription.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.