S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
5929--A
2015-2016 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
March 9, 2015
___________
Introduced by M. of A. PICHARDO, MOSLEY, TITUS, ORTIZ, SEPULVEDA,
ARROYO, HOOPER, LINARES -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. COOK, CRES-
PO, DAVILA, HEVESI, KIM, PERRY, PERSAUD, RIVERA, ROBINSON, RODRIGUEZ,
SOLAGES -- read once and referred to the Committee on Higher Education
-- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended
and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to enacting the "topical
medication safety and efficacy act"
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as
the "topical medication safety and efficacy act."
S 2. Legislative findings and intent. The legislature recognizes that
medicine is an important and ever-changing field marked by constant
advances in knowledge and methods. Modern pharmaceutical research has
expanded the ability of physicians to heal their patients, but these new
discoveries require not just new chemical compounds, but also occa-
sionally require new methods of administering treatments and distribut-
ing medicines to patients. For some topically applied medications, the
safety and efficacy of the treatments are enhanced when patients can
obtain their medicines directly from their physicians and immediately
learn correct application techniques under the doctor's supervision.
This is especially true in the case of medications used to treat skin
discoloration affecting people of color. Due to the sensitivity of the
skin and eyes, patients often require additional guidance from physi-
cians in the proper administration of treatments, and this method of
instruction coupled with dispensing by physicians currently helps
millions of patients around the country. Unfortunately, New York state
law has failed to similarly keep pace with medical developments, and New
York is one of only five states in the nation that prohibits the
dispensing of medications by physicians. This has resulted in certain
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08493-02-5
A. 5929--A 2
medications not being as accessible to New York patients as they are in
other states, keeping some patients away from desired treatments, and
driving others out of state to obtain treatment.
S 3. Section 6802 of the education law is amended by adding a new
subdivision 27 to read as follows:
27. "TOPICAL PHARMACEUTICAL" MEANS:
A. BIMATOPROST;
B. HYDROQUINONE;
C. METRONIDAZOLE;
D. TRETINOIN;
E. IMIQUIMOD;
F. ACYCLOVIR; OR
G. A DRUG THAT:
(1) IS NOT A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE;
(2) REQUIRES A PRESCRIPTION FOR DISPENSATION;
(3) HAS BEEN REGISTERED WITH OR APPROVED BY THE FEDERAL FOOD AND DRUG
ADMINISTRATION; AND
(4) IS PRESCRIBED FOR THE SKIN, THE TREATMENT OF A SKIN CONDITION, OR
THE ENHANCEMENT OF AN INDIVIDUAL'S APPEARANCE.
S 4. Subparagraph 9 of paragraph a of subdivision 2 of section 6807 of
the education law, as amended by chapter 538 of the laws of 2001, is
amended and a new subparagraph 10 is added to read as follows:
(9) the dispensing of drugs pursuant to an oncological or AIDS proto-
col[.]; OR
(10) THE DISPENSING OF A TOPICAL PHARMACEUTICAL IN EXCESS OF THE
PATIENT'S IMMEDIATE NEEDS WHEN DISPENSED BY A LICENSED PRESCRIBER, WHERE
THE LICENSED PRESCRIBER:
I. TO THE EXTENT A TOPICAL PHARMACEUTICAL IS AVAILABLE AT A PHARMACY,
INFORMS THE PATIENT THAT THE PRESCRIPTION MAY BE FILLED AT A PHARMACY OR
DISPENSED IN THE LICENSED PRESCRIBER'S OFFICE;
II. DISPENSES ONLY TO THE LICENSED PRESCRIBER'S PATIENTS;
III. BELIEVES THAT DISPENSING WOULD IMPROVE THE SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF
THE DRUG OR COMPLIANCE WITH TREATMENT BY THAT PATIENT; AND
IV. COMPLIES WITH ALL STATE AND FEDERAL LABELING AND RECORD KEEPING
REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO THE TOPICAL PHARMACEUTICAL. A RECORD MAIN-
TAINED UNDER THIS SUBPARAGRAPH MUST BE ACCESSIBLE TO THE EXTENT REQUIRED
BY STATE AND FEDERAL LAW. A LICENSED PRESCRIBER MAY CHARGE A FEE FOR
DISPENSING A TOPICAL PHARMACEUTICAL.
S 5. This act shall take effect immediately.