Illinois HB5046 introduced to modify electronic prescribing of controlled substances requirements (out-of-stock transfer workflow and expanded exceptions)

Illinois HB5046 (104th General Assembly) was introduced to amend 720 ILCS 570/311.6 (electronic prescribing of Schedule II–V controlled substances). As described in the research text, the proposal would require a dispenser/pharmacy that cannot fill an initially received electronic controlled-substance prescription due to being out of stock to immediately contact the patient and offer to electronically transfer the prescription to a pharmacy of the patient’s choosing (consistent with 21 CFR 1306). It would also add/clarify exceptions where a prescriber is not required to e-prescribe when timely access is impractical, including when filling may need to occur outside typical retail pharmacy hours or when drug shortages/inventory limitations apply. Compliance impact: pharmacy workflow changes, patient notification/transfer procedures, and prescriber documentation/decisioning around EPCS exceptions.