The bill aims to expand the circumstances under which medications can be dispensed or delivered from hospitals and healthcare entities in Washington State. It amends existing laws to allow practitioners with prescriptive authority to prescribe limited amounts of prepackaged emergency medications to patients being discharged from hospital emergency departments when access to community or outpatient pharmacy services is unavailable. The bill specifically includes medications for opioid overdose reversal, treatment for opioid use disorder, human immunodeficiency virus postexposure prophylaxis drugs, anti-infectives, and drugs that are prepackaged by the manufacturer. It establishes criteria for hospitals to develop policies regarding the distribution of these medications, including training for practitioners and nurses, and limits the amount of medication dispensed to a maximum of 48 hours, with exceptions for certain circumstances.

Additionally, the bill modifies the regulations governing health care entities regarding the dispensing of legend drugs and controlled substances. It maintains the requirement for health care entities to be licensed and to operate under the supervision of a pharmacist. The bill allows practitioners to dispense medications for personal use in amounts not exceeding 72 hours, with exceptions similar to those outlined for emergency medications. It also clarifies that health care entities cannot bill separately for drugs or therapies dispensed under these new provisions. Overall, the legislation seeks to ensure that patients have access to necessary medications during critical times while maintaining safety and regulatory compliance.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 70.41.480, 18.64.450
Substitute Bill: 70.41.480, 18.64.450
Bill as Passed Legislature: 70.41.480, 18.64.450
Session Law: 70.41.480, 18.64.450