New law championed by Sen. Baldacci to increase access to prescriptions takes effect this month

AUGUSTA — A new law co-sponsored and championed by Sen. Joe Baldacci, D-Bangor, that allows pharmacists to dispense an emergency supply of a chronic maintenance drug to a patient without a prescription, took effect Monday, Aug. 8. This is another vital step the Legislature has taken to improve Mainers’ access to important and lifesaving medications.

“Since beginning my work in the Legislature, I have been passionate about maintaining and improving the health and wellbeing of the people of Maine,” said Sen. Baldacci. “Mainers deserve to have laws that work for them. Giving pharmacists the ability to dispense an emergency supply of lifesaving medications will benefit those who need the medication when, for one reason or another, they are unable to get a new prescription from their healthcare provider in a timely manner.”

This new law allows pharmacists to dispense an emergency supply of medication to a patient if the patient is unable to obtain a prescription from a medical provider, as long as the pharmacist has a record of the prescription in the name of the patient. This includes the amount of the drug that was dispensed in the most recent prescription or the standard unit of dispensing the drug, although certain controlled substances are excluded.

All non-emergency laws take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns sine die unless otherwise specified. 

Other laws championed by Sen. Baldacci that took effect this year include measures to combat high-energy prices, improve access to health care and prescription drugs, promote economic opportunity and support working families, seniors and veterans.

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