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H 2509

An Act relative to the availability of prescription medication during an emergency

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Ted Philips

Creates a statewide emergency plan to ensure prescription meds remain available, including early refills, delivery access, coordination, and a public locator system.

Accompanied a study order, see H5234
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Bill Summary · H 2509

Summary: H 2509 — An Act relative to the availability of prescription medication during an emergency

Overview

  • Bill number: H 2509
  • Title: An Act relative to the availability of prescription medication during an emergency
  • Purpose: Establish a statewide plan to ensure prescription medications remain available during a governor-declared state of emergency.
  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Current status: Reporting date extended to Thursday, October 9, 2025
  • Committee: Referred to the Committee on Public Health (02/27/2025); hearing scheduled (06/11/2025)
  • Related matter: Similar item previously filed as House No. 2249 (2023-2024)

What the bill would do (Key Provisions)

1) Creation of a statewide plan (Section 245)

  • The developing state department (in consultation with:
    • Board of Registration in Pharmacy
    • Division of Insurance
    • Office of Medicaid
    • Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency)
  • Must develop and publicize a statewide plan to ensure the availability of prescription medications during a state of emergency.
  • Plan content required to include:
    • Early refill authority (see below)
    • Guaranteed road access for medication delivery vehicles
    • Coordination among manufacturers, wholesalers/distributors, pharmacists, and other industry stakeholders
    • Avoidance of duplicative or redundant supply-chain infrastructure
    • A “safety net” system consisting of:
    • A toll-free telephone number
    • A website to assist individuals in locating prescription medications when not available locally

2) Early refills during an emergency

  • If a patient’s current supply is expected to run out within 10 days of the emergency declaration, the plan would allow an early refill.
  • A pharmacist must confirm the refill with the prescriber before each refill.

3) Delivery access during emergencies

  • Medications delivered to pharmacies and hospitals must have road access on par with other emergency vehicles.

4) Coordination and efficiency

  • The plan would coordinate among pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers/distributors, pharmacists, and other industry stakeholders.
  • Aim to avoid unnecessary or duplicative supply-chain infrastructure.

5) Safety net for locating medications

  • Establish a safety-net system including:
    • A toll-free phone number
    • A public website to help individuals locate prescription medications during the emergency if none are available locally

6) Implementation during a declared emergency

  • Once the governor declares a state of emergency (per the stated authority), the commissioner (of the department) would implement the statewide plan for the duration of the emergency.

Who is affected

  • Patients and households needing prescription medications during emergencies.
  • Pharmacists, prescribers, and pharmacies (due to early-refill verification and delivery-access requirements).
  • Pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors (through coordination and supply-chain considerations).
  • State agencies: Department (Public Health), Board of Registration in Pharmacy, Division of Insurance, Office of Medicaid, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.
  • General public via the toll-free number and website for locating medications.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Referred to Public Health on 02/27/2025.
  • Senate concurred on 02/27/2025 (procedural note; reflects cross-chamber action).
  • Hearing scheduled for 06/11/2025 (01:00 PM–05:00 PM in hearing room A-1).
  • Reporting date extended to 10/09/2025 (from prior deadline), indicating continued examination and potential amendments.

Related context

  • Similar legislative proposal previously filed as House No. 2249 during the 2023-2024 session, indicating ongoing interest in ensuring medication access during emergencies.

This bill seeks to formalize a comprehensive emergency-access framework for prescription medications, balancing patient access with safety and supply-chain coordination, and providing a public-facing mechanism to locate medications when local availability is disrupted.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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