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November 16, 2009

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Guinn signs bill calling for generic drugs

Tuesday, May 27, 2003 | 9:54 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn has signed 40 more bills, including one to help consumers buy cheaper generic drugs.

Senate Bill 387 states that unless a doctor specifically prohibits a generic drug, pharmacists will fill the prescription with a lower-cost drug. The current law says the pharmacist may fill a prescription with the generic equivalent in place of a brand name drug.

Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, who sponsored the bill, said the average cost of a generic drug was $24.63 last year compared with a brand name drug's cost of $80.12.

The law goes into effect Oct. 1.

Also signed was Senate Bill 50 that would permit school districts to impose tougher smoking regulations on campus than are required by the state law. The law, which becomes effective Oct. 1, also advances from 2010 to 2007 the deadline for supermarkets to install ventilation systems in areas where smoking is permitted.

Among other bills signed:

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