Limit the time period on refills of Schedule VI drugs from two years to one year from date of issue for consistency with most other states and insurance plans and to reduce the number of invalid doctor/patient relationships after one year.

The Board will discuss the merits of the petition at its meeting on September 8, 2003 and then will consider any public comment prior to making a decision on whether to initiate rule-making at its meeting on November 25, 2003.

The Board voted to begin the process of amending regulations because the current regulation is in conflict with the policy of all third-party insurance companies that requires prescriptions to be renewed annually in order to be reimbursed. Approximately 85% of all prescriptions are covered by Medicaid or some other third-party. The disparity in requirements causes confusion on the part of patients who believe they have refills remaining, but the pharmacy cannot refill the prescription if third-party reimbursement is involved.