BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 445|
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SB 445
Author: Price (D)
Amended: As introduced
Vote: 21
SENATE BUSINESS, PROF. & ECON. DEV. COMM. : 9-1, 4/15/13
AYES: Price, Block, Corbett, Galgiani, Hernandez, Hill,
Padilla, Wyland, Yee
NOES: Emmerson
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE : Senate Rule 28.8
SUBJECT : Pharmacies: advertising: controlled substances
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This bill prohibits pharmacies from advertising the
sale or dispensing of controlled substances.
ANALYSIS :
Existing law:
1.Provides for the licensure and regulation of pharmacies,
pharmacists and wholesalers of dangerous drugs or devices by
the Board of Pharmacy within the Department of Consumer
Affairs.
2.Specifies certain requirements regarding the dispensing and
furnishing of dangerous drugs and devices, and prohibits a
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person from furnishing any dangerous drug or device except
upon the prescription of a physician, dentist, podiatrist,
optometrist, veterinarian or naturopathic doctor.
3.Requires advertisements for prescription drugs to be limited
to quantities consistent with good medical practice and
include the strength, dosage form and effective dates of the
advertised price.
4.Clarifies that the provisions do not apply to a hospital
pharmacy that is only accessible to hospital medical staff and
personnel.
This bill prohibits pharmacies from advertising the sale or
dispensing of any controlled substances.
Background
National data shows that since 2006, pharmacy robberies have
increased 82%. Pharmacies have become targets, often
jeopardizing the safety of pharmacy staff and patrons, for
individuals seeking drugs for either personal use or for sale on
the streets (single pills can be worth up to $80 on the black
market).
These types of robberies have occurred in California as recently
as this year. In January, there were three separate pharmacy
robberies - two in South San Francisco and one in Amador County.
In Fall 2010, a pharmacy robbery in Sacramento County resulted
in the death of a pharmacy worker.
Note: For detailed information relating to the five Schedules
of controlled substances, prescription drug
abuse/deaths/monitoring, and the Controlled Substances
Utilization Review and Evaluation System, refer to the
Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development
Committee's analysis.
Comments
According to the author's office, there are currently no
prohibitions on the advertisement of controlled substances and
this bill will play an important part in limiting drug seeking
behavior at pharmacies by prohibiting the advertisement of
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controlled substances. The author's office is concerned about
rising numbers of prescription drug abuse in California and
throughout the nation. The author's office is also concerned
that concurrent with increased rates of prescription drug abuse
there are increased instances of crime, particularly robberies
at pharmacies, which are targeted for their inventories of
prescription painkillers, anti-anxiety drugs and other
controlled medications.
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes
Local: Yes
MW:ej 5/1/13 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: NONE RECEIVED
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