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Kevin's Law

Pharmacist Scope of Practice

Following Kevin's passing, his family has advocated for emergency prescription refill laws so patients have access to the medication they need, even if their prescription has expired. These laws, referred to as Kevin’s Law, allow pharmacists to use their professional judgement to dispense an emergency supply of a chronic maintenance drug if a medical provider cannot be reached.

Versions of Kevin’s Law have passed nearly unanimously in 26 states since 2016. Around 17 additional states have rules that allow for emergency dispensing, but unfortunately pharmacists and patients are often unaware, so they are underutilized. Typically, these laws or rules allow a pharmacist to dispense an emergency supply of a chronic maintenance drug without a prescription if:

  • The pharmacist is unable to obtain a refill authorization from a health care provider;
  • The pharmacist has a record of a prescription for the patient or, in the pharmacist's professional judgment, refusing to dispense an emergency supply will endanger the health of the patient; and
  • The amount of the chronic maintenance drug dispensed does not exceed the amount of the most recent prescription or the standard quantity or unit of use package dispensed of the drug.
Kevin's Story

Kevin’s Law is named after Ohio resident Kevin “Howdy” Houdeshell who died in 2014 over the New Year’s holiday after he ran out of refills for his insulin. Kevin was unable to contact his doctor’s office to obtain a new prescription, was turned away from the pharmacy, and sent home without insulin. 

To make his prescription last, Kevin began rationing his insulin. In the following days, Kevin began to exhibit what he believed were flu-like symptoms and isolated himself to prevent spreading his illness. 

Kevin did not realize that his symptoms were actually diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) from lack of insulin. On January 8, 2014, Kevin did not show up to work. A friend went to check on him and found him alone in his apartment, deceased. Kevin was 36 years old, and his death was completely preventable.