Assembly BillChaptered/SignedBusiness and Professions
AB 1587: Prescription drug refills: prescriber notifications.
What AB 1587 does, verified August 24, 2026
The bill aims to amend a section of the Business and Professions Code to change the rules for prescription drug refills. Currently, a pharmacist can refill a prescription without the prescriber's authorization if they believe it's necessary for the patient's ongoing care. However, the bill would require a pharmacist to notify the prescriber if they identify one. This change would ensure that the prescriber is informed when a refill is made without their approval.
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Last action: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 69, Statutes of 2026. (2026-07-13)Alert me
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| Jul. 13, 2026 | Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 69, Statutes of 2026. |
| Jul. 13, 2026 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Jul. 02, 2026 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m. |
| Jun. 25, 2026 | In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling. |
| Jun. 25, 2026 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 36. Noes 0. Page 5015.). |
Latest bill textChaptered version, July 13, 2026 · 348 words
Assembly Bill No. 1587
CHAPTER 69
An act to amend Section 4064 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to prescription drugs.
[ Approved by Governor July 13, 2026. Filed with Secretary of State July 13, 2026. ]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1587, Ta. Prescription drug refills: prescriber notifications.
Existing law, the Pharmacy Law, provides for the licensure and regulation of pharmacists by the California State Board of Pharmacy. Existing law authorizes a pharmacist to, among other things, perform certain procedures or functions and furnish specified drugs. Existing law authorizes the refilling of a prescription for a dangerous drug without the authorization of the prescriber if the prescriber is unavailable to authorize the refill and, in the pharmacist’s professional judgment, failure to refill the prescription might interrupt the patient’s ongoing care and have a significant adverse effect on the patient’s well-being. Existing law requires a pharmacist to notify the prescriber, as specified, of any prescription refilled without their authorization.
This bill would only require a pharmacist to provide that notification if a prescriber is identified.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 4064 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4064.
(a) A prescription for a dangerous drug or dangerous device may be refilled without the prescriber’s authorization if the prescriber is unavailable to authorize the refill and if, in the pharmacist’s professional judgment, failure to refill the prescription might interrupt the patient’s ongoing care and have a significant adverse effect on the patient’s well-being.(b) The pharmacist shall inform the patient that the prescription was refilled pursuant to this section.
(c) The pharmacist shall inform the prescriber within a reasonable period of time of any refills dispensed pursuant to this section, if a prescriber is identified.
(d) The prescriber shall not incur any liability as the result of a refilling of a prescription pursuant to this section.
(e) Notwithstanding Section 4060 or any other law, a person may possess a dangerous drug or dangerous device furnished without prescription pursuant to this section.
Text of AB 1587 as chaptered, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions