S. 5242Senate119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Prescription Information Modernization Act of 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated August 11, 2026 at 5:51 AM UTC

The Prescription Information Modernization Act of 2026 would let drug manufacturers provide FDA‑approved prescribing information for drugs and biologics primarily through electronic means. Prescribers and dispensers could still request paper copies whenever they want, at no extra cost. The law directs HHS to issue rules within a year and to hold a public workshop within two years to improve the format and accessibility of the information. The changes would affect manufacturers, doctors, pharmacists, and other health‑care professionals who receive prescribing information.

Key Provisions

Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow required prescribing information to be delivered solely electronically, while giving prescribers and dispensers the option to receive paper copies on demand at no charge.
Requires the Secretary of HHS to issue final regulations within one year to implement the electronic‑only option and to outline how paper copies can be requested directly from manufacturers or distributors.
Mandates that the regulations be designed to minimize any negative economic impact on prescribers and dispensers.
Calls for a public workshop within two years, led by the FDA Commissioner, to discuss ways to improve the format, accessibility, and usability of electronic prescribing information.
Sets the effective date of the electronic‑only requirement to occur two years after enactment or when the final regulations take effect, whichever comes first.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

August 4, 2026

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

August 4, 2026

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

August 4, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued August 4, 2026

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 5242

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

August 4, 2026

Mr. Banks (for himself and Mr. Booker) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

A BILL

To provide for digital communication of prescribing information for drugs (including biological products), and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Prescription Information Modernization Act of 2026.

Digital communication of FDA-approved prescribing information for drugs (including biological products)

(a)

In general

Section 502(f) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 352(f)) is amended by adding at the end the following: Required prescribing information for drugs subject to section 503(b)(1) may be made available solely by electronic means, provided that the labeling complies with all applicable requirements of law, that the manufacturer affords prescribers and dispensers the opportunity to elect to also continue to receive all such information in paper form or to request paper labeling on an as-needed basis, and, after such request, that the manufacturer promptly provides the requested information without additional cost..

(b)

Rulemaking

(1)

In general

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall issue final regulations to—

(A)

implement the amendment made by subsection (a); and

(B)

provide instructions on how health care professionals can receive paper copies of prescribing information directly from the manufacturer or distributor if desired.

(2)

Economic impacts

The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall design the regulations required by paragraph (1) so as to minimize the adverse economic impacts of such regulations on prescribers and dispensers.

(c)

Public workshop

Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall hold a public workshop with relevant stakeholders to discuss how to continue to optimize the format, accessibility, and usability of prescribing information.

(d)

Effective date

The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to drugs introduced or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce on or after the sooner of—

(1)

the date that is 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act; or

(2)

the effective date of the final regulations promulgated to implement such amendment.

(e)

Definition

In this section, the term drug has the meaning given to such term in section 201 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321).