Bill targeting online sales of 'lifestyle drugs' stalls

A measure targeting online sales of "lifestyle drugs" failed to receive Senate approval Thursday.

SB146, sponsored by Sen. Pete Knudson, R-Brigham City, originally sought to require a "bona fide patient-physician relationship" before medication can be prescribed. That bill narrowly made it out of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee last week.

A substitute bill, introduced Thursday morning, eliminated the patient-physician relationship requirement and instead simply required companies that sell pharmaceuticals over the Internet to meet national pharmacy standards. The substitute bill failed, however, with a vote of 7-19.

SB146 would affect only one company, Arizona-based KwikMed, which has a 2003 agreement with the state Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing allowing it to sell erectile-dysfunction and hair-loss medications over the Internet. Utah is the only state that has such an agreement with an online pharmacy.

Knudson, who ran similar legislation two years ago, said KwikMed's online assessment does not go far enough to ensure patient safety, nor can the company verify medical necessity or that minors are not getting medication online.

"We support technology and innovation, but this site does not go far enough to protect individuals from harm," Knudson said.

KwikMed's attorney members testified last week that its sophisticated online assessment is virtually impossible to fake and the company's policy of requiring an adult signature upon delivery ensures that no minors receive prescription medication.

But during debate, Knudson acknowledged that he was not aware of any complaints against KwikMed or any drug overdoses or deaths caused by drugs prescribed through the online pharmacy.

After SB146 failed Thursday, Knudson switched his vote from a "yes" to a "no," which allows him to make a motion to bring back the bill for reconsideration.

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E-mail: awelling@desnews.com