Senator Maziarz touts anti-mandatory mail order pharmacy bill signing

Senator George Maziarz (R-C, Newfane) is pleased to announce that Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed into law legislation that (S.3510-B/A.5502-B) would prohibit health insurance providers from requiring that their customers obtain prescription drugs from mail order pharmacies only.

“Consumers deserve the freedom of choice,” said Senator Maziarz, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, “particularly when it comes to making decisions about their health and wellbeing.  No one should be forced to get their medicine through the mail.  This new law protects a citizen’s ability to go to a trusted neighborhood pharmacist to obtain their prescription drugs.”

According to the new law, which takes effect in thirty days, customers will still have the option to obtain prescriptions from mail order pharmacies, but they will also retain the option to do business with non-mail order retail pharmacies in the provider’s network.

The bill was approved by both houses of the State Legislature in June 2011 overwhelming bipartisan support.  It was also supported by the Pharmacists Society of the State of New York.

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