SB 4 authorizes a pharmacist to substitute an interchangeable biological product for a prescribed
biological product under certain conditions. The measure specifies that the substituted product be determined by the FDA to be interchangeable. The measure also specifies that the prescribing health care provider has not expressed a preference against substitution in writing, verbally or electronically. The pharmacy is required to notify the patient of the substitution. The dispensing pharmacist is required to make an entry into an electronic records system and post the name of the product and the manufacturer. An entry into an electronic records system is presumed to provide notice to the prescriber. If the pharmacy does not have an electronic records system, the pharmacist is required to provide notice via fax, telephone or other electronic means. The measure provides exceptions for when communication is not required.