Ohio House Passes Patient Protection Act, Sponsored by Rep. Adam Mathews and Rep. Meredith Craig

WARREN COUNTY, OH --  State Representatives Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) and Meredith Craig (R-Smithville) announced the Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill 324, the Patient Protection Act, landmark legislation to strengthen patient safety and ensure proper medical oversight for high-risk medications.

“While telehealth offers greater access and convenience, it can fall short for patients taking high-risk medications,” said Rep. Mathews. “House Bill 324 works to ensure Ohioans receive appropriate medical supervision, reducing preventable harm even as telehealth continues to expand.”

House Bill 324 requires that any patient being prescribed a high-risk medication with at least a 5% chance of severe adverse effects must first receive an in-person evaluation with their prescriber. As defined in the bill, severe adverse effect means death, infection requiring hospitalization, hemorrhaging requiring hospitalization, organ failure, or sepsis. It also mandates a follow-up appointment to ensure the patient is responding safely and that any warning signs are caught early. It directs the Director of Health, in consultation with relevant state boards, to maintain a public, updated list of drugs meeting the 5% threshold for severe adverse effects, promoting transparency and accountability.

“By requiring direct evaluations and prohibiting the mail-order delivery of dangerous drugs, this legislation protects Ohioans from gaps in oversight that can occur through telehealth,” said Rep. Craig. “House Bill 324 reflects our commitment to upholding Ohio’s high medical standards and safeguarding citizens from the risks associated with high-risk medications.”

The bill now heads to the Ohio Senate for consideration.”

"The Hippocratic Oath is to 'Do No Harm,' and with the proliferation of mail order medication, some drugs are severely injuring over one in twenty patients," said Rep. Mathews. "This legislation provides a proper standard of care and protects everyday Ohioans from unscrupulous actors taking advantage of Ohioans."

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