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Introduced Version House Bill 2807 History

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Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted
H. B. 2807


(By Delegates Hatfield and Doyle)

[Introduced March 1, 2005; referred to the

Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.]





A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §30-5-26, relating to prohibiting pharmacists and other persons involved in dispensing medicines from refusing to fill prescriptions; creating exceptions; providing for complaints to be filed with the Board of Pharmacy; providing for an administrative fine; and providing for a civil cause of action.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §30-5-26, to read as follows:

ARTICLE 5. PHARMACISTS, PHARMACY TECHNICIANS, PHARMACY INTERNS

AND PHARMACIES.
§30-5-26. Prohibition against refusal to dispense prescriptive medicines; exceptions; and remedies.

(a) No pharmacist licensed in West Virginia and no other person involved in dispensing medications may refuse to fill any prescription or dispense any substance for any reason other than those exceptions provided in subsection (b) of this section.
(b) A pharmacist or other person involved in dispensing medications may refuse to fill a prescription only if:
(1) The medication is not in stock and is unavailable for dispensation; or
(2) A review of the patient history at the pharmacy shows that the medication sought to be purchased is contraindicated when used in combination with other medications that the patient takes and it appears that the patient's physician is not aware of the contraindication.
(c) Any pharmacist or other individual involved in dispensing medicines who refuses to fill or dispense any prescription in violation of this section is subject to disciplinary action by the Board of Pharmacy.
(d) Upon receipt of a written complaint to the Board of Pharmacy about any violation of this section, the Board shall conduct an investigation pursuant to its administrative provisions. Any person found to be in violation of this section is subject to a fine by the Board of Pharmacy of not less than five hundred dollars and not more than one thousand dollars per occurrence.
(e) In the event a person suffers physical or emotional harm as a result of any pharmacist or other person refusing to dispense medications or other substances in violation of this section, the pharmacist or other person and the pharmaceutical business or employer is liable for the damages, including physical, economical or special damages, attorney fees and costs and punitive damages.



NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to prohibit pharmacists and other persons involved in dispensing medicines from refusing to fill prescriptions or dispense any substance without a valid reason. It provides for complaints to the Board of Pharmacy and a civil cause of action.

This section is new; therefore, strike-throughs and underscoring have been omitted.
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