SECTION 1. Subsection (b) of section 16E of chapter 6A of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following definitions:–

“Adverse drug event”, any injury due to medication.

“Medication error”, any error occurring in the medication-use process.

SECTION 2. Section 16E of chapter 6A of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following subsection:-

(g) The department of public health, in consultation with the center, shall create an independent expert panel to study medication errors and adverse drug events. At least 1 member of the expert panel shall be a health care consumer representative. The expert panel shall issue a report on the frequency, nature and location of occurrence of medication errors and adverse drug events. The expert panel shall make recommendations for reducing medication errors and adverse drug events across all settings of care. The expert panel shall file a comprehensive report under this section with the Joint Committees on Public Health and Health Care Financing no later than December 31, 2010. Based on the panel’s recommendations, the department of public health shall promulgate regulations to reduce medication errors in the Commonwealth.