BILL NUMBER: S3393
SPONSOR: GOUNARDES
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to requiring pharmacies
that are discontinuing to notify customers of such discontinuance
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill directs pharmacies that are permanently closing to provide
customers with a list of alternative pharmacies in close proximity and
instructions on how to transfer prescriptions.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one amends the Education Law by adding a new section 6811-d.
Section two establishes the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
When a pharmacy permanently closes, it is standard practice to transfer
patient prescriptions to another pharmacy, often owned by the same
company. The new pharmacy may not be convenient to the customer and may
not be a pharmacy the customer would have selected if given the choice.
Such choice is even more important in the post-Roe era as some pharma-
cists have chosen not to fill certain prescriptions due to religious or
moral beliefs.
Every customer deserves the ability to have their prescription filled by
the pharmacy of their choice, regardless of the medication. This legis-
lation would provide customers with that by requiring pharmacies that
are discontinuing to provide customers with a list of nearby pharmacies,
including independently owned pharmacies, and instructions on how to
transfer their prescriptions.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024: S9525B - Passed Senate, died on Third Reading in Assembly
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect 60 days after it shall have become a law.