California governor signs e-pedigree bill,

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger handed California pharmacies a major victory Tuesday, signing into law a bill that gives the state's drug retailers some breathing room in their effort to comply with electronic pedigree and track-and-trace technology requirements for prescription drugs.

Schwarzenegger signed into law SB 1307, which revised the technology requirements for establishing the origin and movement of prescription drugs through the supply chain. Included in the law is a provision that pushes back the deadline for compliance for California pharmacies from Jan. 1, 2011, to Jan. 1, 2017.

The decision reflects the recommendations of pharmacy leaders for a gradual and more workable implementation process for new e-pedigree requirements. A number of pharmacy representatives testified before the Enforcement Committee of the California State Board of Pharmacy, asking for an extension that would allow them enough time to adopt the track-and-trace technology needed to establish every drug's pedigree.