ASSEMBLY REGULATED PROFESSIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4447

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 24, 2024

      The Assembly Regulated Professions Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4447.

      Under section 2 of P.L.1989, c.19 (C.45:9-22.5), health care practitioners are prohibited from referring a patient to a health care service in which the practitioner, or the practitioner's immediate family, or a combination of both has a significant beneficial interest, except for the exceptions provided for in statutes.

      This bill amends section 2 of P.L.1989, c.19 (C. 45:9-22.5) to expand the exceptions under which a health care practitioner can refer a patient to a health care service to include the exception in which a practitioner, a practitioner's immediate family, or a combination of both has a significant beneficial interest in a pharmacy and whose application for a permit to operate a pharmacy site was approved prior to the effective date of section 2 of P.L.1989, c.19.

      Permitting health care practitioners to refer patients to pharmacies, licensed prior to the effective date of section 2 of P.L.1989, c.19, in which the practitioner, or the practitioner's immediate family, or a combination of both have a significant beneficial interest will allow for the continuity of care and facilitate ongoing collaboration between the practitioner and pharmacy with respect to medication adherence, efficient and effective drug refill management, and reduction in the incidence and severity of adverse medication-related events.