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HB 3849

PATIENT PRESCRIPTION PICK UP

104th Regular Session Introduced by Jaime Andrade and 22 co-sponsors

Expands who may pick up or transport prescriptions (including controlled substances) to include authorized home-health and hospice employees, boosting access for homebound patients.

Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0336
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Bill Summary · HB 3849

Summary — HB 3849 (Public Act 104‑0336): Patient Prescription Pick Up

Status: Enacted (Public Act 104‑0336). Governor approved August 15, 2025. Effective January 1, 2026.
Introduced: Rep. Nicolle Grasse (filed Feb 7 / Mar 5, 2025).

Purpose

To expand who may legally receive and transport a patient's prescription (including controlled substances) when prescriptions are picked up from prescribers or delivered to patients in home, workplace, or facility settings—specifically by adding broader authorization for employees of home‑health and hospice organizations.

Key provisions

  • Amends the Pharmacy Practice Act (225 ILCS 85/16b):

    • Confirms pharmacists or pharmacies may, at a patient’s request, pick up prescriptions from prescribers or deliver prescription drugs to the patient or the patient’s agent by employee, common carrier, or U.S. Mail.
    • Expands the class of permitted patient agents to include “any authorized employee of an organization that provides hospice services to a hospice patient or that provides home health services to a person” (replacing narrower references to specific licensed nurses or physician assistants).
    • Retains language allowing patients or their agents to drop off prescriptions at a designated area.
    • Notes: Section 16b is shown as scheduled for repeal on January 1, 2028 (per statute header).

  • Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act (720 ILCS 570/302):

    • Mirrors the Pharmacy Practice Act change by adding the same “authorized employee” language to the list of persons who need not register and may lawfully possess controlled substances when those substances are possessed pursuant to a lawful prescription for an ultimate user—thereby explicitly permitting authorized home‑health and hospice organization employees to receive/transport prescribed controlled substances for patients.

Who is affected

  • Patients receiving home health or hospice care (improved access and convenience).
  • Pharmacists and pharmacies (expanded lawful delivery/pick‑up options).
  • Home‑health and hospice organizations and their authorized employees (explicit legal authority to receive/deliver prescriptions, including controlled substances).
  • Regulators (Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; implications for recordkeeping, authorization procedures).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Likely increases access to medications for homebound or hospice patients and streamlines care coordination.
  • Expands the set of authorized agents who may lawfully handle prescribed controlled substances—may require organizations and pharmacies to establish or document authorization procedures, chain‑of‑custody and security protocols, and training/recordkeeping practices to address diversion risk and regulatory compliance.
  • Retains existing registration and inspection provisions under the Controlled Substances Act.

Legislative timeline (select)

  • Introduced March 5, 2025. Passed both houses May 2025. Sent to Governor June 20, 2025. Approved Aug 15, 2025. Effective Jan 1, 2026.

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

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