We are pleased to report this morning Governor Ducey signed HB 2075 (electronic prescribing; exceptions; deadlines) into law, which is an emergency measure retroactive to December 31, 2018. This bill delays e-prescribing requirements for all counties until January 1, 2020. Additionally, the bill reinstates a Board-certified physician assistant’s ability to issue a 30-day prescription for schedule II, III, IV and V controlled substances that are opioids and benzodiazepines.
 

Here are all of the major provisions contained in HB 2075:

• Moves the 2019 implementation dates for urban and rural counties to January 1, 2020 for all counties.
• Allows for written prescriptions if the e-prescribing system is not operational or available in a timely manner, the occurrence must be noted in records maintained by the pharmacy for a period of time set by the Arizona Board of Pharmacy.
• Exempts requirements for Indian Health Services and federal facilities.
• Eliminates the waiver process through the Arizona Board of Pharmacy but provides rulemaking authority in consultation with a Task Force to add additional exceptions.
• Delays e-prescribing requirements for veterinarians until e-prescribing software is widely available.
• Allow for prescriptions to be faxed if the prescription is compounded for direct administration to a patient, residents of a long-term care facility and hospice patients.
• Resolves a statutory conflict that inadvertently imposed a prohibition on physician assistants prescribing more than a 72-hour dosage of opioids or benzodiazepines.
• Contains a retroactive clause to December 31, 2018 so the legislation takes effect immediately once it becomes law.