The proposed bill amends Chapter 5-19.1 of the General Laws concerning pharmacies by introducing a new section, 5-19.1-37, which allows pharmacists to dispense a one-time refill of a prescription for up to 100 days under specific conditions. These conditions include situations where the pharmacist cannot obtain refill authorization from the prescriber or when the patient does not have a prescriber. The bill explicitly prohibits refills for drugs classified in Schedule II-V and requires that the medication is essential for maintaining life or managing a chronic condition. Additionally, the pharmacist must assess that interrupting the therapy could lead to undesirable health consequences or discomfort.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that the pharmacist notify the prescriber of the refill within seven business days. If there is no current prescriber, the pharmacist is required to document the transaction details. This legislation is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and aims to ensure continuity of care for patients who may face challenges in obtaining timely prescription refills.