The bill amends Section 21-31-16.1 of the Rhode Island Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics Act to expand the scope of products that pharmacists can substitute. It introduces provisions for the substitution of generic drugs, biological products, devices, supplies, and therapeutically equivalent products. The director is granted the authority to permit these substitutions, provided they comply with FDA standards. Pharmacists are required to document substitutions and notify prescribing providers within seven calendar days. The bill clarifies that neither pharmacists nor patients are mandated to accept substitutions.

Additionally, the bill removes certain requirements for the director regarding the distribution of lists of non-therapeutically equivalent drugs and eliminates the obligation for annual reports on approved prescription-drug products. It specifies that there will be no additional liability for the prescriber or pharmacist concerning therapeutic substitutions. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
5855: 21-31-16.1
5855  SUB A: 21-31-16.1