Illinois HB5046 introduced to amend 720 ILCS 570/311.6 on e-prescribing exceptions and pharmacy transfer/notification when initial e-prescription cannot be filled

Illinois HB5046 (104th General Assembly) was introduced on 2026-02-10 and proposes amendments impacting 720 ILCS 570/311.6 (electronic prescribing for Schedule II–V controlled substances). As described in the bill text, it would (1) require a dispenser/pharmacy that cannot fill an initial electronically received prescription due to out-of-stock conditions to immediately contact the patient and ask whether the prescription should be electronically transferred to a pharmacy of the patient’s choosing (consistent with 21 CFR 1306), and (2) expand/clarify exceptions to mandatory electronic prescribing where drugs may need to be filled outside typical retail hours or are difficult to obtain due to drug shortages/inventory limitations. The bill also contains conforming changes to the Pharmacy Practice Act (225 ILCS 85/19). Compliance teams at pharmacies, health systems, and prescriber organizations should monitor this bill because it would change operational workflows for patient communication and prescription transfer, and would adjust when non-electronic prescribing is permitted for controlled substances.