HB 0576

HB 576 - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

AN ACT establishing a committee to study laws, protocols, rules, and regulations pertaining to the various state agencies that have responsibilities relative to all aspects of the utilization of drug prescriptions in New Hampshire.

SPONSORS: Rep. Grassie, Straf 19; Sen. McCarley, Dist 6

This bill establishes a committee to study laws, protocols, rules, and regulations pertaining to the various state agencies that have responsibilities relative to all aspects of the utilization of drug prescriptions in New Hampshire.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 1 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study laws, protocols, rules, and regulations pertaining to the various state agencies that have responsibilities relative to all aspects of the utilization of drug prescriptions in New Hampshire.

(a) Three members of the house of representatives, including one member of the health, human services and elderly affairs committee and one member of the children and family law committee, appointed by the speaker of the house.

II. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

III. The committee may solicit such information and testimony from physicians, mental health professionals, other licensed professionals who write prescriptions, parents of children with behavior disorders, pharmacists, and any other person designated by the committee to be helpful to the committee in the performance of its duties. The committee shall use the current volume of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, American Psychiatric Association as a guide in defining diagnostic criteria for childhood and adult disorders.

I. Review the state of New Hampshire laws and policy that ensure the safe, accurate, and secure dispensation of drugs.

II. Ensure that the state of New Hampshire has the necessary laws, protocols, rules, and regulations to ensure that prescriptions are transmitted accurately and in a timely way from prescriber to dispensing agent, that prescriptions are clearly written, and that complete descriptions of the drugs' effects and side effects are provided.

III. Review the provision of emergency "hot line" services in the state of New Hampshire to answer urgent questions and the availability to the public of new information regarding drugs which includes newly discovered side effects.

IV. Gather information relative to the practice of prescribing Ritalin and similar medications to children with behavior disorders, and including:

(a) The frequency and circumstances under which drugs that the Physicians Desk Reference does not recommend for children who are less than 6 years old are prescribed to children who are less than 6 years old.

(b) The degree to which children who are prescribed Ritalin or similar medications are monitored by physicians and other mental health professionals, as well as the frequency with which drug therapy is combined with other mental health treatment.

(c) The feasibility of requiring a diagnostic evaluation prior to prescribing drug therapy to children with behavior disorders.

4 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Four members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

5 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate president, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2001.