BILL NUMBER: SB 1346	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Allen

                        FEBRUARY 19, 2016

   An act to add Section 4074.5 to the Business and Professions Code,
relating to pharmacy.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1346, as introduced, Allen. Pharmacists: drug labeling:
medication guides: electronic delivery.
   The Pharmacy Law provides for the licensure and regulation of
pharmacists by the California State Board of Pharmacy. Existing law
requires a pharmacist to inform a patient orally or in writing of the
harmful effects of a drug dispensed by prescription, if the drug
poses a substantial risk when taken in combination with alcohol or
the drug may impair a person's ability to drive a motor vehicle, and
the board requires that warning by regulation. Existing law also
requires a pharmacist to include a written label on the drug
container indicating that the drug may impair a person's ability to
operate a vehicle or vessel if the pharmacist, in exercising his or
her professional judgment, determines that the drug may impair a
person's ability to operate a vehicle or vessel, as specified.
Existing law authorizes the board to require by regulation additional
information or labeling. A violation of the Pharmacy Law is a crime.

   This bill would authorize a pharmacist to offer to a patient, as
an alternative to a printed paper medication guide for a prescription
drug as required by the United States Food and Drug Administration,
the electronic delivery of the medication guide. The bill would
authorize a pharmacist to deliver the medication guide by electronic
means if the patient chooses electronic delivery. The bill would
authorize the board to exempt a drug from that authorization by
regulation.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 4074.5 is added to the Business and Professions
Code, to read:
   4074.5.  (a) Except as provided by regulation pursuant to
subdivision (b), a pharmacist may do the following:
   (1) Offer to a patient, as an alternative to a printed paper
medication guide for a prescription drug as required by the United
States Food and Drug Administration, the electronic delivery of the
medication guide.
   (2) Deliver the medication guide by electronic means if the
patient chooses electronic delivery.
   (b) The board may by regulation exempt a drug from the
authorization established in subdivision (a).