SB220 Alabama 2023 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Tom ButlerSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2023
Title: Relating to pharmacists; to amend Section 27-45A-7, Code of Alabama 1975; to authorize a pharmacist to decline to fill a prescription if the pharmacist will be reimbursed for the drug in an amount that is less than the pharmacist's acquisition cost; and to prohibit a pharmacist from being restricted from discussing matters relating to a pharmacy claim with a patient.
Summary: SB220 would allow a pharmacist to decline to dispense a drug if reimbursement is below their cost to acquire it, and to discuss pharmacy-claim matters with a patient.
What This Bill Does
The bill lets a pharmacy or pharmacist decline dispensing a drug to a covered individual when reimbursement would be less than the pharmacist's acquisition cost. It also lets the pharmacist discuss alternatives with the patient. It says pharmacists cannot be restricted from talking to patients about the prescription, including information about cost, reimbursement, or alternatives, and this applies regardless of how the patient will pay. It also means the patient could be steered to another pharmacy if the drug is not dispensed.

Who It Affects
Pharmacists and pharmacies: may decide not to fill a drug if reimbursement is below cost and may discuss alternatives with patients.
Covered individuals (patients): may be offered alternatives or allowed to obtain the drug from another pharmacy and will receive information about costs and claim details from the pharmacist.

Key Provisions
Authorizes decline-to-dispense when reimbursement is below the drug's acquisition cost.
Authorizes discussing alternatives with the covered individual.
Prohibits restrictions on pharmacists communicating with patients about a prescription, including cost, reimbursement, and alternatives, regardless of payment type.
Allows the patient to seek the drug from another pharmacy if dispensing is declined.
Amends Section 27-45A-7 to implement these changes.
Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.