AUGUSTA - The Maine House advanced a proposal sponsored by Rep. Amy Roeder, D-Bangor, Tuesday that would help Mainers more easily access emergency supplies of chronic maintenance medications.
LD 1776, as amended by the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee, would allow pharmacists to dispense a 30-day supply of emergency medications without a valid prescription from a patient if there is a prior record of a prescription for the patient, the pharmacist cannot obtain authorization from the patient's physician and if the medication is necessary to sustain the life of the patient. The pharmacist must not have dispensed the medication in an emergency supply capacity more than twice within a 12-month period, with exceptions for some controlled substances. Controlled substances, including opioids, are not included in the proposal.
"I thank my colleagues in the House for supporting legislation that will expand emergency supplies of medications to those in our communities who need them," said Roeder. "As someone who has been denied emergency medication for my asthma, I can attest to the fear one feels when their life-saving medication is withheld. This proposal provides support to those coping with their chronic conditions and will help ensure people can access the emergency supplies they need, when they need it."
Roeder is serving her first term in the Maine House of Representatives and is a member of the Legislature's Labor and Housing Committee.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [Roeder], c. 812-1111