Reducing Unused Medications Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-4599
Sponsor: Rep. Clark, Katherine M. [D-MA-5]
Introduced: 2016-02-24 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Health information and medical records
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-24
text: 

Reducing Unused Medications Act of 2016

 
This bill amends the Controlled Substances Act to allow a pharmacist to partially fill a prescription for a schedule II controlled substance (such as a prescription opioid painkiller) at the request of a prescribing practitioner or patient. 
 
A pharmacist must record the partial filling in the same manner as a full filling, update the record with each partially filled prescription, and notify the prescribing practitioner. The total quantity dispensed in partial fillings must not exceed the total quantity prescribed.
 
The remaining portion of a partially filled prescription may be filled and must be exhausted prior to, or on the same date that such prescription, if fully filled, would have been exhausted.

action_date: 2016-05-10
text: 

Reducing Unused Medications Act of 2016

 
(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Controlled Substances Act to allow a pharmacist to partially fill a prescription for a schedule II controlled substance (such as a prescription opioid painkiller) if: (1) it is not prohibited by state law, (2) it is prescribed in accordance with existing laws and regulations, (3) it is requested by the patient or prescribing practitioner, and (4) the total quantity dispensed in partial fillings does not exceed the total quantity prescribed.
 
Additionally, a pharmacist may partially fill a prescription for a schedule II controlled substance in other circumstances in accordance with existing Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regulations. (Current DEA regulations permit partial fills when a pharmacist cannot supply a full quantity, a patient resides in a long-term care facility, or a patient is terminally ill.) 
 
The remaining portion of a partially filled prescription may be filled within 30 days or, in the case of an emergency situation, within 72 hours. 
 

action_date: 2016-05-11
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on May 10, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
 

Reducing Unused Medications Act of 2016

 
(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Controlled Substances Act to allow a pharmacist to partially fill a prescription for a schedule II controlled substance (such as a prescription opioid painkiller) if: (1) it is not prohibited by state law, (2) it is prescribed in accordance with existing laws and regulations, (3) it is requested by the patient or prescribing practitioner, and (4) the total quantity dispensed in partial fillings does not exceed the total quantity prescribed.
 
Additionally, a pharmacist may partially fill a prescription for a schedule II controlled substance in other circumstances in accordance with existing Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regulations. (Current DEA regulations permit partial fills when a pharmacist cannot supply a full quantity, a patient resides in a long-term care facility, or a patient is terminally ill.) 
 
The remaining portion of a partially filled prescription may be filled within 30 days or, in the case of an emergency situation, within 72 hours.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-05-12
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2016-05-11
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2016-05-11
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2273)
action_date: 2016-05-11
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H2273)
action_date: 2016-05-11
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4599.
action_date: 2016-05-11
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2273-2275)
action_date: 2016-05-11
text: Mr. Guthrie moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2016-05-10
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 430.
action_date: 2016-05-10
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 114-556.
action_date: 2016-05-10
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 114-556.
action_date: 2016-04-27
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2016-04-27
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2016-04-26
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2016-04-25
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2016-04-20
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2016-04-20
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2016-02-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2016-02-24
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2016-02-24
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-02-24
text: Introduced in House