Singleton, Gopal Bill to Provide for Transfer of ADHD Medication Prescriptions Between Pharmacies Passes Senate

Senator Vin Gopal

TRENTON – In an effort to increase ease of access to medications prescribed for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the Senate advanced legislation sponsored by Senators Troy Singleton and Vin Gopal that would allow pharmacies to directly transfer prescriptions for medication treating ADHD to other pharmacies.

“Medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD have been undergoing a supply shortage, which has complicated the ability for patients to obtain the medicine they need,” said Senator Singleton (D-Burlington). “This proposal will make it easier for pharmacies to directly transfer a prescription to another pharmacy that has the medication in stock, avoiding the need to have an entirely new prescription sent to a different pharmacy and removing one of the barriers between a patient and their prescribed treatment.”

The bill, S-3388, would allow pharmacists to transfer Schedule II controlled dangerous substance prescriptions for ADHD to other pharmacists, provided the transfer is compliant with federal regulations. Currently, when a patient is unable to fill such a prescription at their usual pharmacy, they must ask their doctor to send a new prescription to a different pharmacy, which adds administrative burden and additional steps to what can already be a difficult process.

“The shortage of ADHD medications has made it difficult for all patients to maintain consistent treatment, but lapses in treatment can be particularly challenging for children who often have less coping skills to control their symptoms absent medication,” said Senator Gopal (D-Monmouth). “This legislation will make it easier for patients to obtain their medication, and reduce the burden on parents when trying to ensure that their children receive the treatment that they are prescribed.”

The Senate passed the legislation in a 39-0 vote.