E-Prescription exemption passes Senate Health and Human Services Committee

OKLAHOMA CITY – On the heels of Oklahoma’s electronic prescription law that went into effect on Jan. 1, Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, presented Senate Bill 1278 for committee consideration, which would exempt outpatient hospice care facilities from the e-prescription requirement.

The committee passed the measure 10-0 with bipartisan support on Monday.

Oklahoma’s e-prescription law was a recommendation from the Oklahoma Commission on Opioid Abuse to help fight the opioid addiction epidemic and prescription fraud. The law requires an electronic prescription for all controlled substances, which reduces the chance of prescription forgery, speeds prescription fill time and helps avoid possible medication mix-ups.

However, Rader said outpatient hospice facilities still need the flexibility to use traditional prescription methods if they choose.

“Most hospice care occurs in the home, not in an inpatient facility,” Rader said. “Senate Bill 1278 is a continuation of the success of legislation that has drastically curbed the number of opioid pills being prescribed in Oklahoma. Last year’s legislation did not allow for an exemption for home hospice care, and it’s important for home hospice patients to receive the same level of high-quality care and access to prescription medications that inpatient hospice facilities provide.”

Rep. Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, is the House author for SB 1278. The legislation will be heard by the full Senate for a vote before going to the House for consideration.

For more information, contact: Sen. Dave Rader at (405) 521-5620, or email [email protected].