AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY OCTOBER 19, 2004

SENIOR ASSEMBLY PROPOSAL NO. 4

INTRODUCED BY SENIOR ASSEMBLY MEMBER GOULD

(COAUTHOR: SENIOR ASSEMBLY MEMBER SHONTZ)

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AP 4: LABELING OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

UNDER EXISTING LAW, A PHARMACY GIVES A NOTICE OF THE CONDITION FOR WHICH A DRUG IS BEING PRESCRIBED ONLY IF THE PATIENT REQUESTS THIS INFORMATION.

THIS MEASURE WOULD MEMORIALIZE THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR TO ENACT LEGISLATION THAT WOULD REQUIRE ALL PRESCRIPTIONS TO CONTAIN A NOTICE ON THE PRESCRIPTION LABEL OF THE CONDITION FOR WHICH THE DRUG IS BEING PRESCRIBED, UNLESS THE PATIENT OR THE PHYSICIAN REQUESTS THIS INFORMATION BE OMITTED.

VOTE: MAJORITY

AP 4: RELATING TO LABELING OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

WHEREAS, MANY PRESCRIPTION DRUGS HAVE MORE THAN ONE USE OR PURPOSE; AND

WHEREAS, MANY PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY SENIORS, HAVE UNEXPIRED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS IN THEIR MEDICINE CABINETS, AND DO NOT KNOW THE INTENDED USE FOR THE DRUG BECAUSE THE PURPOSE FOR THE DRUG IS OMITTED FROM THE LABEL; AND

WHEREAS, MANY PATIENTS ARE UNAWARE OF THEIR RIGHT TO REQUEST THAT THE PRESCRIPTION LABEL CONTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT THE DRUG'S PURPOSE; AND

WHEREAS, INCLUDING THE PURPOSE FOR THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG ON THE PRESCRIPTION LABEL WILL REDUCE THE NUMBER OF TELEPHONE CALLS TO DOCTORS AND PHARMACISTS REQUESTING INFORMATION ABOUT THE PURPOSE OF A PRESCRIPTION; AND

WHEREAS, INCLUDING THIS INFORMATION WILL ALSO PROVIDE A CHECK SYSTEM BETWEEN THE DOCTOR WRITING THE PRESCRIPTION AND THE PHARMACIST FILLING THE PRESCRIPTION AND, THEREFORE, HELP REDUCE MEDICATION ERROR; AND

WHEREAS, A NUMBER OF GROUPS, INCLUDING THE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS DEPARTMENT OF THE CALIFORNIA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, AND THE NATIONAL COORDINATING COUNCIL FOR MEDICATION ERROR REPORTING AND PREVENTION, ENDORSE THIS TYPE OF LEGISLATION; AND

WHEREAS, THE VETERAN'S ADMINISTRATION PHARMACY IN SEPULVEDA, CALIFORNIA, CURRENTLY REQUIRES THEIR PHYSICIANS INCLUDE THE PURPOSE OF THE MEDICATION ON THE PRESCRIPTION; AND

WHEREAS, THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION HAS PROPOSED BAR CODING PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS GIVEN IN HOSPITALS IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE MEDICATION ERROR; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, BY THE SENIOR ASSEMBLY AND THE SENIOR SENATE, JOINTLY, THAT THE SENIOR LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AT ITS 2004 REGULAR SESSION, A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS VOTING THEREFOR, HEREBY PROPOSES THAT ALL PRESCRIPTIONS BE REQUIRED TO CONTAIN A NOTICE ON THE PRESCRIPTION LABEL OF THE CONDITION FOR WHICH THE DRUG IS BEING PRESCRIBED UNLESS THE PATIENT OR THE PHYSICIAN REQUESTS THIS INFORMATION BE OMITTED; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT THE SENIOR LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA RESPECTFULLY MEMORIALIZES THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO ENACT APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ADDRESS THE CONCERNS SET FORTH IN THIS MEASURE; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT A COPY OF THIS MEASURE BE TRANSMITTED TO THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, THE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE, AND THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

RN0415404

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