Prescriptions: biosimilar products.

The Pharmacy Law governs the practice of pharmacy in this state, including the permissible duties of licensed pharmacists. Among other permitted acts, a pharmacist filling a prescription order for a drug product prescribed by its trade or brand name may select another drug product with the same active chemical ingredients of the same strength, quantity, and dosage form, and of the same generic drug name as determined by a specified federal entity, of those drug products having the same active chemical ingredients. A person who knowingly violates the Pharmacy Law is guilty of a misdemeanor, as specified. This bill would authorize a pharmacist filling a prescription order for a biological product subject to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as specified, to select a biosimilar product, as defined by federal statute, provided that product is deemed by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be interchangeable with the prescribed product.