New Jersey legislation · 2026-2027 Regular Session
New Jersey S4601: Drug or biological product-req pharmacist notify consumer of substitution
Status: Passed one chamber, October 29, 2026
Requires pharmacist or pharmacist's designee to notify consumer of substituted drug or biological product.
What the bill says
An Act concerning notification of drug or biological product substitutions and amending P.L.1977, c.240 and P.L.2015, c.130.
From the amended text, October 5, 2026:
An Act concerning notification of drug or biological product substitutions and amending P.L.1977, c.240 and P.L.2015, c.130. Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey: 1. Section 8 of P.L.1977, c.240 (C.24:6E-7) is amended to read as follows: 8. Every prescription blank shall be imprinted with the words, "substitution permissible" and "do not substitute" and shall contain space for the physician's or other authorized prescriber's initials next to the chosen option. Notwithstanding any other law, unless the physician or other authorized prescriber explicitly states that there shall be no substitution when transmitting an oral prescription or, in the case of a written prescription, indicates that there shall be no substitution by initialing the prescription blank next to "do not substitute," a different brand name or nonbrand name drug product of the same established name shall be dispensed by a pharmacist if such different brand name or nonbrand name drug product shall reflect a lower cost to the consumer and is contained in the latest list of interchangeable drug products published by the council; provided, however, where the prescriber indicates "substitution permissible, and requests the pharmacist to notify [him] [ADDED: the prescriber] of the substitution," the pharmacist shall transmit notice, either orally or by written notice to be mailed no later than the end …
Sponsors
- Joseph F. Vitale (D, 19) · primary sponsor
- Linda R. Greenstein (D, 14) · primary sponsor
- Raj Mukherji (D, 32)
Latest actions
- : R/A REF AHE
- : PS (39-0)
- : REP/SCA 2RS
- : TRANS SHH
- : INT 1RS REF SCM
Votes
- 3RDG FINAL PASSAGE - Drug or biological product-req pharmacist notify consumer of substitution (October 22, 2026): 39 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee: Reported with committee amendments (Sca) (October 5, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: HEALTH - PHARMACEUTICALS
Common questions
- What is S4601?
- S4601 is a bill in the New Jersey Legislature (2026-2027 Regular Session): Drug or biological product-req pharmacist notify consumer of substitution.
- What does S4601 do?
- In its own words: An Act concerning notification of drug or biological product substitutions and amending P.L.1977, c.240 and P.L.2015, c.130.
- What is the status of S4601?
- Passed one chamber as of October 29, 2026. Latest action: R/A REF AHE (October 29, 2026).
- Who sponsored S4601?
- Joseph F. Vitale (D, 19), with 2 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for S4601?
- On the New Jersey Legislature website: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S4601
Source: official New Jersey record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.