New Law Signed: Pharmacies Must Fulfill Paper Prescriptions for Controlled Substances

August 9, 2024

Last Friday, Governor Pritzker signed ISMS-backed House Bill 4874 into law to help ensure that pharmacists do not deny prescriptions for controlled substances solely because they are not prescribed electronically.

This legislation became essential on the heels of the e-prescribing mandate that took effect Jan. 1, 2024. To recap, the e-prescribing law requires that all healthcare professionals who write prescriptions for more than 150 controlled substance prescriptions annually (Schedules II, III, IV and V drugs) must now provide them electronically – unless eligible for an exemption. Paper prescriptions are also supposed to be accepted when electronic systems are down.

Yet, ISMS continued to hear from members eligible for an exemption to submit prescriptions on paper that there was still confusion at pharmacies over the handling of paper prescriptions for controlled substances. House Bill 4874 was initiated to tackle this issue and took effect immediately when signed last week.

If you or your patients still have trouble fulfilling a paper prescription, please file a complaint with IDFPR.

To learn more, access our resources:

·    ISMS’ Issue Brief, Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS) Implementation

·    ISMS FAQ

Questions? Please contact ISMS Senior Vice President of State Legislative Affairs Erin O'Brien by email.