By Mr. Timilty of Milton, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2262) of Walter F. Timilty and others relative to the rights of patients to certain bulk medications upon discharge from medical facilities.  Public Health.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

Walter F. Timilty

John W. Scibak

Patricia D. Jehlen

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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An Act relative to patient's rights.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

Section 70E of chapter 11 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2000 Official Edition, is herby amended by inserting after subsection (n) the following subsection:-

(o) to obtain from the facility in charge of his care, upon discharge, any bulk medications that were prescribed for him during his stay including, but not limited to, aerosol inhalers, topical products such as creams and powders eye drops, insulins and special order items, provided that any such items are patient specific and personal and would not otherwise be used in the treatment of another patient.  Upon discharge from the hospital, these bulk items shall be considered the personal property of the patient and the physician shall include in discharge orders that the patient be provided with the specific bulk products that were used in the hospital with use directions.  The department shall promulgate regulations to implement this section.