§ 5-37-18.1 — § 5-37-18.1. Physicians required to authorize product selection.

§ 5-37-18.1. Physicians required to authorize product selection.

Every licensed Rhode Island physician, when prescribing any drug by brand name, shall in each prescription, oral, written, or electronic, authorize a less expensive generic-equivalent drug product by signing the prescription. If, in the professional judgment of the prescribing physician, the brand name is medically necessary, the physician shall indicate "brand name necessaryâ€� on the prescription form. Pursuant to § 42-127.1-7 and chapter 19.1 of this title, an electronic signature shall satisfy this requirement.

Legislative History

P.L. 1976, ch. 237, § 2; P.L. 1981, ch. 88, § 2; P.L. 1995, ch. 88, § 1; P.L. 2003, ch. 47, § 1; P.L. 2003, ch. 405, § 1.