bill sending patients home with their leftover eye drops

The text as introduced · 321 words

89R13578 MPF-F

By: Villalobos
H.B. No. 4441

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the administration of topical ophthalmic medications at

certain health care facilities.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as the Topical Ophthalmic

Medication Waste Reduction Act.

SECTION 2. Subtitle A, Title 6, Health and Safety Code, is

amended by adding Chapter 446 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 446. ADMINISTRATION OF TOPICAL OPHTHALMIC MEDICATION AT

CERTAIN HEALTH CARE FACILITY

Sec. 446.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Health care facility" means:

(A) a hospital licensed under Chapter 241; or

(B) an ambulatory surgical center licensed under

Chapter 243.

(2) "Topical ophthalmic medication" means a

prescription drug for ophthalmic use in drop or ointment form,

including antibiotic, anti-inflammation, dilation, or glaucoma

medication.

Sec. 446.002. RELEASE OF UNUSED MEDICATION. (a) A health

care facility shall offer to a patient on discharge from the

facility following a surgical procedure performed on the patient

any unused portion of a topical ophthalmic medication administered

to the patient if:

(1) a health care professional at the facility ordered

the medication for the patient not more than 24 hours before the

surgical procedure; and

(2) the patient's treating physician prescribes the

medication to the patient for continuing treatment.

(b) A health care facility that provides to a patient a

topical ophthalmic medication under Subsection (a) shall ensure the

patient is counseled on the medication's proper use and

administration.

Sec. 446.003. REUSE OF UNUSED MEDICATION. A health care

facility that provides to a patient an unlabeled topical ophthalmic

medication held by the facility on reserve or obtained by the

facility from a prescription drug dispensing system may provide the

unused portion of the medication to other patients receiving

treatment at the facility for a period not to exceed 24 hours after

the medication's initial provision.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.