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S 809 109th Congress Senate

Access to Legal Pharmaceuticals Act

Official title: A bill to establish certain duties for pharmacies when pharmacists employed by the pharmacies refuse to fill valid prescriptions for drugs or devices on the ba… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to establish certain duties for pharmacies when pharmacists employed by the pharmacies refuse to fill valid prescriptions for drugs or devices on the basis of personal beliefs, and for other purposes.

Introduced: June 15, 2006 See on congress.gov
Health Access to health careCivil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesCivil actions and liabilityCommerce
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Confidential communicationsConsumer educationDamagesDismissal of employeesDrugsEmployee selectionFines (Penalties)InjunctionsLabor and EmploymentLawLegal feesLimitation of actionsMedical recordsMedical suppliesPharmaciesPharmacistsPunitive damagesReligionReligious libertyRight of privacy
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This bill died when the 109th Congress ended
It never became law before the 109th Congress (2005–2006) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 14, 2005
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3685-3686)
Apr 14, 2005
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3685)
Apr 14, 2005
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action April 14, 2005

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3685-3686)

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Access to Legal Pharmaceuticals Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require any pharmacy receiving prescription drugs or prescription devices in interstate commerce to: (1) ensure that any in stock prescription that one pharmacist refuses to fill on the basis of a personal belief is filled by another pharmacist employed by the pharmacy without delay; (2) ensure that any individual who presents a prescription for an item that is not in stock which one pharmacist refuses to order on the basis of a personal belief is immediately informed that the product can be ordered by the pharmacy and to order such product without delay; and (3) not employ any pharmacist who engages in any conduct with the intent to prevent or deter an individual from filling a valid prescription, including refusing to return a prescription form, refusing to transfer a prescription, or subjecting the individual to humiliation or harassment.

Provides that this Act does not require the pharmacy to keep any particular product in stock nor does it apply with respect to a product for a health condition if the pharmacy does not keep in stock any product for such condition.

Sets forth civil penalties. Allows a private cause of action for a violation of this Act.

 Related & companion bills 2
  • HR 1539 Related bill To amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to the responsibilities of a pharmacy when a pharmacist employed by…
  • HR 1652 Related bill Access to Legal Pharmaceuticals Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Democratic 1
D
Murray, Patty
Washington · Jun 15, 2006
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 809: Access to Legal Pharmaceuticals Act. 109th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/109-S-809/
MLA
"S. 809: Access to Legal Pharmaceuticals Act." 109th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/109-S-809/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 809, 109th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/109-S-809/.
Markdown link
[S. 809: Access to Legal Pharmaceuticals Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/109-S-809/)
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