Arizona Bill Regarding Duty to Fill Emergency Contraception Prescriptions (SB 1259)

SB 1259 would have required pharmacists to properly fill valid prescription orders presented to the pharmacy by or for a customer. The bill states that if the pharmacy is unable to fill the prescription, the pharmacist must make every effort to either obtain a timely order, transfer the prescription to another local pharmacy of the customer’s choice, or return the unfilled prescription and refer the customer to another local pharmacy with timely access to the drug or device prescribed. The bill further states that a pharmacist must treat each customer with respect and dignity, making good faith efforts to ensure seamless delivery of the prescription. Additionally, a health professional who provides care to a victim of rape would have been required to provide the patient with information about emergency contraception and provide a prescription at the patient’s request.

This bill would have curbed the practice of pharmacists refusing to fill prescriptions for emergency contraceptives, and would have ensured that victims of rape receive information about and a prescription for emergency contraception if they request it.

People