2008 Senate Bill 1301 (Restrict interchanging immunosuppressive drugs )

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Introduced by Sen. John Gleason on May 7, 2008, to prohibit pharmacists from “interchanging” (substituting cheaper or generic versions) of immunosuppressive drugs without notification to and consent from both the prescribing physician and the patient.
- Referred to the Senate Health Policy Committee on May 7, 2008.

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Introduced by Sen. John Gleason on May 7, 2008. New Comment

1) In support of Senate Bill 1301 [by mbautel on May 9, 2008]
I am writing in support of Senate Bill 1301 (Restrict interchanging immunosuppressive drugs ) Introduced by Sen. John Gleason on May 7, 2008, to prohibit pharmacists from “interchanging” (substituting cheaper or generic versions) of immunosuppressive drugs without notification to and consent from both the prescribing physician and the patient.

Anyone who's had an organ transplant, must stay on immosuppressive drugs for their lifetime or their body will reject the transplanted organ.

Passing of this bill is crucial. The general pharmacist will not know whether a generic could cause the rejection. Many Transplants are done by only a few specialized hospitals in this state. It should be required that the Transplant physician or their approved specialist approves any subsitutions. However, the patient cannot go without their meds during the wait for approval. Another bill should supplement this to require that pharmacists do not withhold the transplant meds waiting for the decision. If the pharmacy is able to automatically switch the transplant meds to a generic without proper approval they could be jeopardizing the patients life - and if the pharmacy can only substitute meds with approval of the transplant specialist, it is more likely that the patients insurance, medicare, and/or medicaid will continue to cover the correct transplant medicine.

Some people can get by a while without their meds or possibly with an inferior generic (and I am not suggesting that all generics are inferior) but transplant patients are dependent for the rest of their lives on this medicine! It should not be substituted for a generic without proper authorization.
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2) Medication [by Anonymous Citizen on May 9, 2008]
There is no need for this bill. The doctor already has the authority to ensure that the patient does not receive generic medication. All the doctor needs to do is write "Draw as written" (DAW) on the prescription. Problem solved without legislation.
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