To require mail-order pharmacies to notify customers when generic drugs become available and to prevent mail-order pharmacies from substituting drugs without the express authorization of the prescriber.

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Sep 29, 2010

Requires a mail-order pharmacy to inform a customer to whom it dispenses a prescription brand name drug when a generic drug that is the pharmaceutical equivalent becomes available.

Permits a mail-order pharmacy to substitute a generic drug for a brand name drug or a brand name drug for a generic drug if the mail order pharmacy: (1) notifies the customer that the pharmacy will request that the prescriber provide an authorization to make such a substitution; and (2) after providing such notification, obtains the express written authorization of the prescriber of the drug to make such a substitution. Requires the prescriber to provide notice to the customer of an authorization.

Permits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to assess civil penalties against a mail-order pharmacy for violations of this Act.

Declares that this Act preempts state laws to the extent any are inconsistent with this Act.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Shea-Porter, Carol [D-NH-1] · D–NH

Committees

Energy and Commerce Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Sep 29, 2010
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Sep 29, 2010
Introduced in House
Sep 29, 2010
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Sep 29, 2010 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Jan 2, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.6255 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.6255, 111th Congress: To require mail-order pharmacies to notify customers when generic drugs become available and to prevent mail-order pharmacies from substituting drugs without the express authorization of the prescriber.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/6255

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2010-09-29.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr6255/BILLS-111hr6255ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T16:33:10Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.6255 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.6255 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.6255, 111th Congress: To require mail-order pharmacies to notify customers when generic drugs become available and to prevent mail-order pharmacies from substituting drugs without the express authorization of the prescriber.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/6255

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2010-09-29.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr6255/BILLS-111hr6255ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T16:33:10Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.6255 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.6255 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.6255, 111th Congress: To require mail-order pharmacies to notify customers when generic drugs become available and to prevent mail-order pharmacies from substituting drugs without the express authorization of the prescriber.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/6255

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2010-09-29.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr6255/BILLS-111hr6255ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T16:33:10Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.6255 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.6255 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.6255, 111th Congress: To require mail-order pharmacies to notify customers when generic drugs become available and to prevent mail-order pharmacies from substituting drugs without the express authorization of the prescriber.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/6255

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2010-09-29.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr6255/BILLS-111hr6255ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T16:33:10Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.6255 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.