| |
| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to the administration of topical ophthalmic medications at |
|
|
certain health care facilities. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as the Topical Ophthalmic |
|
|
Medication Waste Reduction Act. |
|
|
SECTION 2. Subtitle A, Title 6, Health and Safety Code, is |
|
|
amended by adding Chapter 446 to read as follows: |
|
|
CHAPTER 446. ADMINISTRATION OF TOPICAL OPHTHALMIC MEDICATION AT |
|
|
CERTAIN HEALTH CARE FACILITY |
|
|
Sec. 446.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: |
|
|
(1) "Health care facility" means: |
|
|
(A) a hospital licensed under Chapter 241; or |
|
|
(B) an ambulatory surgical center licensed under |
|
|
Chapter 243. |
|
|
(2) "Topical ophthalmic medication" means a |
|
|
prescription drug for ophthalmic use in drop or ointment form, |
|
|
including antibiotic, anti-inflammation, dilation, or glaucoma |
|
|
medication. |
|
|
Sec. 446.002. RELEASE OF UNUSED MEDICATION. (a) A health |
|
|
care facility shall offer to a patient on discharge from the |
|
|
facility following a surgical procedure performed on the patient |
|
|
any unused portion of a topical ophthalmic medication administered |
|
|
to the patient if: |
|
|
(1) a health care professional at the facility ordered |
|
|
the medication for the patient not more than 24 hours before the |
|
|
surgical procedure; and |
|
|
(2) the patient's treating physician prescribes the |
|
|
medication to the patient for continuing treatment. |
|
|
(b) A health care facility that provides to a patient a |
|
|
topical ophthalmic medication under Subsection (a) shall ensure the |
|
|
patient is counseled on the medication's proper use and |
|
|
administration. |
|
|
Sec. 446.003. REUSE OF UNUSED MEDICATION. A health care |
|
|
facility that provides to a patient an unlabeled topical ophthalmic |
|
|
medication held by the facility on reserve or obtained by the |
|
|
facility from a prescription drug dispensing system may provide the |
|
|
unused portion of the medication to other patients receiving |
|
|
treatment at the facility for a period not to exceed 24 hours after |
|
|
the medication's initial provision. |
|
|
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |