IllinoisPrescribers must send most controlled-drug prescriptions electronically
Prescribers must send most controlled-drug prescriptions electronically, while patients can ask pharmacies to transfer prescriptions that have not yet been filled.
What it does
Prescribers must send prescriptions for most controlled drugs electronically, and dispensers must accept them that way. Exceptions cover low-volume prescribers and certain hardship, technology, patient, and prescription situations.
At a patient's request, a pharmacy must transfer a received but unfilled prescription to another pharmacy, including a Schedule II drug, unless a documented clinical reason or federal law bars the transfer.
Argument forElectronic prescriptions could give pharmacies a consistent way to receive controlled-drug orders, while listed exceptions may still allow some prescriptions to be sent another way.
Argument againstPrescribers with few controlled-drug prescriptions may need to certify their yearly volume, while other exceptions require specific proof or circumstances.
More detail
Prescribers must send prescriptions for Schedule II through V drugs electronically, and dispensers must accept them electronically. The rule covers prescriptions for Schedule II, III, IV, and V controlled substances. Exceptions excuse some prescribers based on prescription volume, economic hardship, technical failure, patient or care circumstances, or other listed conditions. A prescriber may certify an annual limit of 150 controlled-drug prescriptions through December 31, 2028, or 50 beginning January 1, 2029; oral and written prescriptions count. The low-volume limit is 150 controlled-drug prescriptions in 12 months through December 31, 2028, and 50 beginning January 1, 2029.
A pharmacy must transfer a prescription to another pharmacy when the patient asks, if the prescription has been received but not yet filled. The requirement includes Schedule II controlled substances. A pharmacy need not transfer the prescription if the prescriber writes and documents a clinical reason to bar the transfer, or federal law prohibits it. Transfer may be electronic or by fax when federal law allows it. A licensed pharmacy technician may transfer it when a pharmacist delegates the task.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Aug 21Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0846Latest
- Aug 21Effective Date January 1, 2027
- Aug 21Governor J. B. Pritzker ApprovedBecame Law
- Jun 29Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- May 31Passed Both Houses
- Vote recorded Concurrence, Amendment 1. Result: pass.Upper
- May 31Senate Concurs
- May 31House Floor Amendment No. 1 Senate Concurs 056-000-000
- May 29House Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion To Concur Recommended Do Adopt Licensed Activities; 007-000-000
- Vote recorded Do Pass, Amendment 1. Result: pass.Upper
- May 28House Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Assignments Referred to Licensed Activities
- May 28House Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Referred to Assignments
- May 28House Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Filed with Secretary Sen. Steve McClureMinor
- May 28Placed on Calendar Order of Concurrence House Amendment(s) 1 - May 29, 2026
- May 28Secretary's Desk - Concurrence House Amendment(s) 1
- May 27Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Michelle Mussman
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 27Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock
- May 27Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Martha Deuter
- May 27Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Nicolle Grasse
- May 27Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 106-000-000Passed House
- May 27Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
- May 27House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted by Voice VoteMajor
- May 22Third Reading/Final Action Deadline Extended-9(b) May 31, 2026
- May 20House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Prescription Drug Affordability & Accessibility Committee; 013-000-000Minor
- Vote recorded Do Pass, Amendment 1. Result: pass.Lower
- May 19Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- May 19Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- May 19House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Prescription Drug Affordability & Accessibility Committee
- May 19Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Chris Balkema
- May 15House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
- May 15House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Kelly M. CassidyMinor
- May 14Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short DebateMinor
- May 13Do Pass / Short Debate Prescription Drug Affordability & Accessibility Committee; 013-000-000
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- May 7Committee Deadline Extended-Rule 9(b) May 15, 2026
- Apr 27Assigned to Prescription Drug Affordability & Accessibility CommitteeMinor
- Apr 17Referred to Rules Committee
- Apr 17First ReadingMinor
- Apr 17Chief House Sponsor Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy
- Apr 17Arrived in HouseMinor
- Apr 16Third Reading - Passed; 057-000-000Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 16Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Jason Plummer
- Apr 14Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading ** April 15, 2026
- Mar 13Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
- Mar 11Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Tabled Pursuant to Rule 5-4(a)Minor
- Mar 11Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading March 12, 2026
- Mar 11Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Adopted; McClureMajor
- Mar 11Second ReadingMinor
- Mar 10Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Be Approved for Consideration Assignments
- Mar 5Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Assignments
- Mar 5Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Steve McClureMinor
- Mar 5Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 10, 2026Minor
- Mar 5Do Pass Licensed Activities; 008-000-000
- Mar 4Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Postponed - Licensed Activities
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 24Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Licensed Activities
- Feb 20Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
- Feb 20Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Steve McClureMinor
- Feb 10Assigned to Licensed ActivitiesMinor
- Feb 2Referred to Assignments
- Feb 2First ReadingMinor
- Feb 2Filed with Secretary by Sen. Steve McClureIntroduced
Healthcare