SECTION 1. Section 2A of chapter 17 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2012 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the second paragraph the following paragraph:-

The commissioner shall implement the statewide plan for making prescription drugs available during a state of emergency pursuant to section 230 of chapter 111. 

SECTION 2. Chapter 111 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting the following section:-

Section 230. The department shall, in consultation with the board of registration in pharmacy, the division of insurance, the office of Medicaid and the Massachusetts emergency management agency, develop and publicize a statewide plan for ensuring the availability of prescription medications during a state of emergency declared by the governor.  The plan shall include, but not be limited to:

(a) allowance for early refills of prescriptions, if the current amount that a patient possesses is not expected to last beyond 10 days of the date of the declaration of emergency; provided, however, that a pharmacist shall confirm such prescription with the prescriber before each refill;

(b) ensuring that vehicles delivering medications to pharmacies and hospitals be given the same road access available to other emergency vehicles;

(c) ensuring that the system does not create a duplicate or redundant supply chain infrastructure;

(d) coordination among pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, pharmacists and other industry stakeholders; and,

(e) creation of a safety net system including a toll-free telephone number and a website for citizens to contact during the emergency for assistance in locating prescription medication, in the event no medications are available to them locally.