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Bill

SH

Bill

A 2020

Prohibits substitution of prescribed epilepsy drugs by pharmacists without prior notification to and written consent of physician and patient.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Shama Haider

Requires written physician and patient consent before pharmacists substitute epilepsy medications, potentially increasing costs and access delays for chronic patients.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health Committee
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Bill Summary · A 2020

Legislative bill overview

Bill A 2020 requires pharmacists to obtain prior written consent from both the prescribing physician and patient before substituting prescribed epilepsy medications with generic or therapeutic alternatives. This creates a stricter notification and approval process specifically for anti-epileptic drugs compared to standard pharmacy substitution practices.

Why is this important

Epilepsy medication consistency is medically sensitive—switching between formulations can affect seizure control and patient safety, making prior approval potentially valuable for this drug class. However, this bill could slow medication access, increase costs through restricted generic use, and create administrative burdens that may disproportionately affect patients with limited resources or communication barriers.

Potential points of contention

  • Drug cost implications: Restricting generic substitution typically increases patient out-of-pocket expenses and insurance costs, particularly impactful for chronic epilepsy conditions requiring long-term medication
  • Practical implementation: Requiring dual consent (physician + patient) may create delays in filling prescriptions and administrative friction, especially in time-sensitive situations
  • Medical necessity debate: Neurologists differ on whether all epilepsy drug substitutions pose equal risk—some anti-epileptic drugs have narrower therapeutic windows than others, raising questions about blanket restrictions

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

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