Legislation has been introduced in the Ohio Senate which would require pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and qualified pharmacy technicians to report any suspected prescription dispensing errors to the Board of Pharmacy.

The bill, Senate Bill 119, sponsored by Senator Timothy Grendell of Chesterland, would also require the Board to investigate all such reports, and to pursue disciplinary action against a pharmacist or pharmacy intern if warranted.  The individual reporting the suspected error would be required to retain all documents, labels, containers, supplies, substances, and internal investigative materials relating to the report, and make them available to the Board of Pharmacy upon request.

Criminal penalties for failure to comply with these reporting requirements would include fines of up to $250.00 ($2,000.00 for organizations) and up to thirty days imprisonment.  Three or more convictions within six months would increase the penalties to fines of up to $1,000 ($5,000.00 for organizations) and up to 180 days imprisonment.

The bill has been assigned to the Senate's Health, Human Services, and Aging Committee.  To date it has not been scheduled for a committee hearing.  Complete information on the legislation, including its full text, can be found at http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_SB_119.