Generic Drug Bill That Would Standardize Prescription Pads Unanimously Passes Louisiana House Panel

The Louisiana House Health and Welfare Committee on May 31 approved a bill (HB 865) that would create a "standard prescription pad featuring a box that physicians must check to forbid cheaper generic substitutions for brand-name drugs." The bill's author, state Rep. Ronnie Johns (D), said the bill would allow consumers to "decide between brand-name drugs and cheaper generic alternatives, with the doctor's permission." The bill also fixes an "error" the state Legislature made while "revamping the state pharmacy code in 1999." During those revisions, lawmakers "accidentally" inserted language that prohibits pharmacists from offering generic drugs. Although HB 865 passed the committee without objection, the "question [now] is whether" it will have time to go through the legislative process before the Legislature's session ends June 18. The bill still needs approval by the full House, a Senate committee and the full Senate (Dyer, Baton Rouge Advocate, 6/1).