Provides for the creation of a drug guide for seniors regarding the drugs commonly used by people over 62 years of age; provides that such guide will include functions and drug interactions.

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S2239-2013 Actions

• Jan 15, 2013: REFERRED TO AGING

S2239-2013 Memo

BILL NUMBER:S2239

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the elder law, in relation to creating
and distributing a drug guide for senior consumers

PURPOSE:  The purpose of this bill is to provide seniors with the
information necessary to make informed decisions about their
prescription drugs.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:  The bill amends the elder law adding a new
section 224, to require that the director of SOFA publish a guide
explaining the purpose, function, and common drug interactions of
drugs commonly used by persons over the age of 62. The director is
required work in conjunction with the state board of pharmacy, and to
consult with the state consumer protection board. No action is
required if there is no appropriation. The guide is top be made
available to individuals upon request and without charge through local
area agencies on aging (AAA's), except that requests for more than ten
copies must be subject to a charge to cover the cost of reproduction
and handling.

EXISTING LAW: None.

JUSTIFICATION:  The creation of a prescription drug guide for seniors
would make seniors aware of the specific effects of the drugs seniors
commonly use, so they understand the effects the drugs will have on
them.  Often times, seniors are prescribed a lot of medication and/or
self-medicate with over the counter medicines. Certain drug
interactions can be life threatening. Seniors need to be made aware of
the likely contraindications of certain commonly prescribed drugs and
over the counter medications.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:  S.2179A of 2012 - Committed to Rule 06/21/12
S.2031 - 2009-10 - Referred to Aging, Died in Senate, Passed Assembly,
A.1962) S.6854 - 2007-08 - Referredto Aging, Died in Senate, Referred
to Aging

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:  This bill is subject to making an appropriation.

LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

EFFECTIVE DATE:  This act shall take effect on the September 1 after
it shall have become law.

S2239-2013 Text

                      S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
  ________________________________________________________________________

                                    2239

                         2013-2014 Regular Sessions

                              I N  SENATE

                              January 15, 2013
                                 ___________

  Introduced  by  Sen.  GOLDEN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
    printed to be committed to the Committee on Aging

  AN ACT to amend the elder law, in relation to creating and  distributing
    a drug guide for senior consumers

    THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
  BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


    Section 1. The elder law is amended by adding a  new  section  224  to
  read as follows:

    S  224. SENIOR DRUG GUIDE. THE DIRECTOR, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE STATE
  BOARD OF PHARMACY, AND AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH,
  SHALL, WITHIN AMOUNTS MADE AVAILABLE BY APPROPRIATION THEREFOR,  PREPARE
  AND  PUBLISH  A  GUIDE EXPLAINING THE PURPOSE, FUNCTION, AND COMMON DRUG
  INTERACTIONS  OF  DRUGS  COMMONLY  USED  BY  PERSONS  OVER  THE  AGE  OF
  SIXTY-TWO.  THE  GUIDE  SHALL ALSO INCLUDE THE EFFECTS OF COMBINING SUCH
  MEDICATIONS WITH ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION.   THE  DIRECTOR  SHALL  TAKE  SUCH
  ACTIONS  AS SHALL BE NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE TO MAKE SUCH GUIDE AVAIL-
  ABLE TO INDIVIDUALS UPON REQUEST AND WITHOUT CHARGE  THROUGH  DESIGNATED
  AGENCIES,  AS  SUCH  TERM  IS DEFINED IN SECTION TWO HUNDRED FOURTEEN OF
  THIS TITLE, EXCEPT THAT REQUESTS FOR  MORE  THAN  TEN  COPIES  SHALL  BE
  SUBJECT  TO  A  REASONABLE  CHARGE TO COVER THE COST OF REPRODUCTION AND
  HANDLING.
    S 2. This act shall  take  effect  on  the  first  of  September  next
  succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.



   EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                        [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                             LBD01160-01-3