All Roll Calls
Yes: 218 • No: 0
UtahH.B. 2642026 General SessionHouseWALLET
Prescription Medication Amendments
Sponsored By: Raymond P. Ward (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Health and Human ServicesHealth CareHealth Care FacilitiesLabor and EmploymentHealth Care ProfessionalsDepartment of Health and Human ServicesPharmaciesPublic HealthPharmacistsPharmaceuticalsOccupational and Professional Licensing
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
State list for similar drug swaps
Beginning May 6, 2026, the state creates a list of therapeutically similar drugs after consulting two medical boards. Either board can block adding a drug to the list. The state must first consider albuterol inhalers, injectable insulin, and diabetic test strips. Biological products now count as “drugs” under these substitution rules.
When pharmacies can swap your meds
Beginning May 6, 2026, a pharmacist may give you an FDA‑rated equivalent generic if you agree and your prescriber has not blocked it. For a therapeutically similar product, your prescriber must allow it, the drug must be on the state’s similar‑drug list, and you must consent. The swap must lower your cost, be on the same or a better formulary tier, be needed because the original is unavailable, or be agreed as helpful by you and the pharmacist. The pharmacist must counsel you, tell you about any swap, label the dispensed drug’s name, and record both the prescribed and dispensed names. Out‑of‑state mail pharmacies must also notify you by phone or in writing when they substitute. A prescriber can still write “dispense as written” (or say it by phone) to block any substitution, and brand‑name swaps without an FDA equivalent need prescriber approval.
Refill window and out-of-state prescriptions
Beginning May 6, 2026, a prescription cannot be dispensed after one year from when it started, unless another law allows it. If refills are allowed, you may refill up to two years from the original issue date. Utah pharmacies may fill or refill a valid prescription from another state after they verify it. Controlled substance rules still apply.
Tighter limits on state standing orders
Beginning May 6, 2026, the health department may issue a standing prescription only for a clear clinical use, an FDA‑approved diagnosis, and when it is clinically appropriate. This narrows when blanket standing orders can be used.
Safety and legal rules on substitutions
Beginning May 6, 2026, if you have a seizure disorder and your prescriber finds a swap unsafe, the prescriber must prohibit it. If a pharmacist cannot fill as written for seizure care, they must notify the prescriber before substituting, unless Medicaid pays for the substitute. A pharmacist who substitutes under the law has no greater liability than filling the original drug. A prescriber’s failure to say “no substitution” is not evidence of negligence.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Raymond P. Ward
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Evan J. Vickers
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 2/20/2026
House/ concurs with Senate amendment
Yes: 72 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/19/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 25 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/18/2026
Senate/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/18/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 24 • No: 0
House vote • 2/12/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
House vote • 2/6/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 69 • No: 0
House vote • 1/27/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 12 • No: 0
House vote • 1/27/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 11 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/17/2026House/ to Governor
3/11/2026HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/11/2026HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/5/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/5/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
2/25/2026Bill Received from House for Enrolling
2/25/2026House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
2/20/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
2/20/2026HouseSenate/ to House
2/20/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
2/20/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
2/20/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
2/20/2026HouseHouse/ concurs with Senate amendment
2/20/2026HouseHouse/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
2/19/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
2/19/2026HouseSenate/ to House with amendments
2/19/2026SenateSenate/ passed 3rd reading
2/19/2026SenateSenate/ 3rd reading
2/19/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd reading
2/18/2026SenateSenate/ floor amendment
2/18/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd reading
2/18/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
2/17/2026SenateSenate/ committee report favorable
2/17/2026SenateSenate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
2/12/2026
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/5/2026
Amended 2/18/2026 15:02:20
2/18/2026
Substitute #1
1/27/2026
Introduced
1/15/2026
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