S.B. No. 1658
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the authority of a pharmacist to fill certain
  prescriptions in the event of a disaster.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 562.054, Occupations Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 562.054.  EMERGENCY REFILLS.  (a)  A pharmacist may
  exercise the pharmacist's professional judgment in refilling a
  prescription for a prescription drug, other than a controlled
  substance listed in Schedule II as established by the commissioner
  of state [public] health services under Chapter 481, Health and
  Safety Code, without the authorization of the prescribing
  practitioner if:
               (1)  failure to refill the prescription might result in
  an interruption of a therapeutic regimen or create patient
  suffering;
               (2)  either:
                     (A)  a natural or manmade disaster has occurred
  that prohibits the pharmacist from being able to contact the
  practitioner; or
                     (B)  the pharmacist is unable to contact the
  practitioner after reasonable effort;
               (3)  the quantity of prescription drug dispensed does
  not exceed a 72-hour supply;
               (4)  the pharmacist informs the patient or the
  patient's agent at the time of dispensing that the refill is being
  provided without the practitioner's authorization and that
  authorization of the practitioner is required for a future refill;
  and
               (5)  the pharmacist informs the practitioner of the
  emergency refill at the earliest reasonable time.
         (b)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a), in the event of a
  natural or manmade disaster, a pharmacist may dispense not more
  than a 30-day supply of a prescription drug, other than a controlled
  substance listed in Schedule II as established by the commissioner
  of state health services under Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code,
  without the authorization of the prescribing practitioner if:
               (1)  failure to refill the prescription might result in
  an interruption of a therapeutic regimen or create patient
  suffering;
               (2)  the natural or manmade disaster prohibits the
  pharmacist from being able to contact the practitioner;
               (3)  the governor has declared a state of disaster
  under Chapter 418, Government Code; and
               (4)  the board, through the executive director, has
  notified pharmacies in this state that pharmacists may dispense up
  to a 30-day supply of a prescription drug.
         (c)  The prescribing practitioner is not liable for an act or
  omission by a pharmacist in dispensing a prescription drug under
  Subsection (b).
         SECTION 2.  Section 481.074, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended by adding Subsections (l-1) and (l-2) to read as follows:
         (l-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (l), in the event of a
  natural or manmade disaster, a pharmacist may dispense not more
  than a 30-day supply of a prescription drug, other than a controlled
  substance listed in Schedule II, without the authorization of the
  prescribing practitioner if:
               (1)  failure to refill the prescription might result in
  an interruption of a therapeutic regimen or create patient
  suffering;
               (2)  the natural or manmade disaster prohibits the
  pharmacist from being able to contact the practitioner;
               (3)  the governor has declared a state of disaster
  under Chapter 418, Government Code; and
               (4)  the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, through its
  executive director, has notified pharmacies in this state that
  pharmacists may dispense up to a 30-day supply of a prescription
  drug.
         (l-2)  The prescribing practitioner is not liable for an act
  or omission by a pharmacist in dispensing a prescription drug under
  Subsection (l-1).
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1658 passed the Senate on
  May 1, 2007, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that the
  Senate concurred in House amendment on May 25, 2007, by the
  following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1658 passed the House, with
  amendment, on May 23, 2007, by the following vote: Yeas 144,
  Nays 0, two present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor