HB272 Alabama 2016 Session

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Elaine Beech
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2016
Title: Prescription drugs, indication that use of generic drug not allowed, notation by prescribing physician, Sec. 16-25A-18 am'd.
Summary: HB272 allows prescribing physicians to indicate non-substitution of a generic drug for PEEHIP patients by marking, signing, or using electronic prescriptions.
What This Bill Does
The bill amends Section 16-25A-18 to let physicians indicate non-substitution not just in longhand, but also by mark or signature on the prescription or via electronic prescription. When such an indication is used and specifies 'medically Necessary', 'dispense as written', or 'do not substitute', the pharmacist may dispense a non-generic product. The rule still requires that any dispensed product be pharmaceutically and therapeutically equivalent and match the same active ingredients, dosage, form, and strength as the prescription.

Who It Affects
PEEHIP patients and their families, who may receive non-substituted (brand-name) or specific formulations when a physician indicates so on the prescription.
Prescribers and pharmacists participating in PEEHIP, who gain additional, non-longhand ways (mark/sign and electronic prescriptions) to indicate that a generic should not be substituted.

Key Provisions
Adds mark/sign or electronic prescription as valid methods for a physician to indicate non-substitution of a generic drug for PEEHIP patients.
Allows the phrases 'medically Necessary', 'dispense as written', or 'do not substitute' to be used as these indications, while reaffirming that the dispensed product must be pharmaceutically/therapeutically equivalent and have the same active ingredients, dosage, form, and strength.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Prescription Drugs