The bill amends Section 21-28-3.18 of the General Laws in Chapter 21-28, known as the "Uniform Controlled Substances Act," to modernize the regulations surrounding the prescription and dispensing of controlled substances. Key updates include the specification that apothecaries may sell and dispense controlled substances in schedules II, III, IV, and V only upon a valid prescription that includes detailed patient information. Notably, prescriptions for schedule II substances must be filed separately and cannot be refilled, while prescriptions must be retained for two years for inspection. The bill also introduces electronic data transmission for prescriptions, which will become mandatory starting January 1, 2020, and allows for facsimile transmission of schedule II prescriptions under certain conditions.

Additionally, the bill allows for a maximum dispensing of a ninety-day supply for non-opioid, non-narcotic controlled substances classified in schedule II, deviating from the general rule of a thirty-day supply. It outlines the responsibilities of pharmacists and practitioners in documenting prescriptions for terminally ill patients and those in long-term care facilities. The bill emphasizes record-keeping through automated systems, mandates patient education on medication disposal and opioid risks, and requires the Department of Health to update regulations to align with new DEA guidelines regarding electronic prescription refills by January 1, 2025. Overall, the bill aims to improve the management of controlled substances while prioritizing patient safety and regulatory compliance.