Prescriptions: personal use pharmaceutical disposal system.

Existing law, the Pharmacy Law, provides for the licensing and regulation of pharmacists by the California State Board of Pharmacy in the Department of Consumer Affairs. Existing law prohibits a pharmacist from dispensing a prescription unless the prescription is in a container that meets the requirements of state and federal law and is correctly labeled with certain information. Existing law requires a pharmacy or practitioner that dispenses a prescription drug containing an opioid to a patient for outpatient use to prominently display a specified notice on the label or container of the prescription drug containing an opioid. Existing law, when no other penalty is provided, makes a knowing violation of the Pharmacy Law a misdemeanor and, in all other instances, makes a violation punishable as an infraction. This bill would prohibit a dispenser from dispensing a prescription drug containing an opioid to a patient for outpatient use unless the dispenser also provides a personal use pharmaceutical disposal system, as defined, to the patient. The bill would provide that its provisions become operative only upon the Legislature enacting a framework for the governing of a personal use pharmaceutical disposal system program. By expanding the scope of a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.