COMPLIMENTARY STARTER DRUGS - H.B. 4619 (H-1): FLOOR ANALYSIS

House Bill 4619 (Substitute H-1 as reported without amendment)

Sponsor: Representative Sharon Gire

House Committee: Health Policy

Senate Committee: Health Policy and Senior Citizens

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Public Health Code to require a dispensing prescriber who dispensed a complimentary starter dose drug to a patient to give the patient certain information, as specified in the bill. The information required by the bill would be in addition to, and would not supersede or modify, other State or Federal laws that regulate the labeling of prescription drugs.

Under the bill, a dispensing prescriber who dispensed a complimentary starter dose drug to a patient would have to provide, either on the label of the container given to the patient or in a written document (such as a preprinted insert), the following information:

-- The name and strength of the drug.

-- Directions for the patient's use of the drug.

-- The expiration date of the drug, or a statement that said, "Discard this medication 1 year after the date it is dispensed".

Under the Code, a "complimentary starter dose" is a prescription drug packaged, dispensed, and distributed in accordance with State or Federal law, that is provided to a dispensing prescriber free of charge by a manufacturer or distributer, and dispensed free of charge to patients.

MCL 333.17745 - Legislative Analyst: G. Towne

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Date Completed: 12-3-97 - Fiscal Analyst: J. Walker

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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.