It may soon be easier for patients to obtain larger supplies of prescription medication from pharmacies.
A bill passed by both houses of the New York legislature last month would allow pharmacies to refill prescriptions for 90 days. Sponsors of the bill — Simcha Felder in the Senate and Michael Simanowitz in the Assembly — say this will improve medication compliance and lower medical costs.
Currently, people who are on long-term medications must return to pharmacies once a month or use mail-order pharmacies to refill their prescriptions. The bill would only affect non-controlled substances and with the agreement of the patient’s doctor. The bill was sent to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is expected to sign it.