COLUMBUS – The Ohio House of Representatives last week concurred on Senate amendments to House Bill 116 with broad bipartisan support. This bill, joint sponsored by State Representatives Tim Brown and Tim Ginter seeks to provide for partial drug prescription refills for the purpose of synchronizing multiple prescriptions for one patient.
“House Bill 116 will save time, money, and ultimately improve health outcomes of patients,” said Rep. Brown. “Over eighty legislators have cosponsored the bill, which is a testament to its support in communities around the State of Ohio.”
The bill is an attempt to enact a process known as “medical synchronization”, or “med sync”, in Ohio. “Med sync” simplifies patient and caregiver lives by reducing the amount of visits that a patient needs to make to the pharmacy to get his or her needed medication, allowing them to permissively participate in a process with their physician and pharmacist to align their medications so that they can be refilled on the same day.
“After a very thorough vetting process, I am pleased that House Bill 116 is now making its way to the governor,” said Rep. Ginter. “For those with chronic diseases, medication synchronization will simplify prescription refills.”
Currently, some pharmacies and Medicare Part D allow the use of a “med sync” program. HB 116 would extend this process to commercial plans and Medicaid, keeping patients on track with their medication, boosting adherence to their physician-recommended treatment, and making the process more affordable for Ohioans.
HB 116 now awaits action by the Governor.
