SB265

Senate Bill 265 creates a 'hospital pharmacy continuity of care endorsement' that allows licensed Arkansas hospitals with existing pharmacy permits to dispense outpatient medications. Under this endorsement, hospitals may sell up to a 31-day supply or a single commercially available package of medication to emergency room patients or patients upon discharge. The medication must serve as a continuation of or supplement to the treatment received during their hospital stay. Additionally, the bill clarifies that nonprofit hospitals are permitted to dispense medications to their own employees and students. It amends existing state law to ensure that these new pharmacy activities do not violate statutes regarding hospital-held pharmacy permits. The overall purpose is to increase access to post-discharge care for patients by enabling hospitals to provide necessary prescriptions directly on-site.