HOUSE BILL REPORT
SHB 2512
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Passed House:
February 9, 2012
Title: An act relating to including pharmacists in the legend drug act.
Brief Description: Including pharmacists in the legend drug act.
Sponsors: House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Harris, Kelley, Rivers, Appleton, Dahlquist, Cody and Buys).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care & Wellness: 1/23/12, 1/26/12 [DPS].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/9/12, 97-0.
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS |
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Jinkins, Vice Chair; Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; Hinkle, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Clibborn, Green, Harris, Kelley, Moeller and Van De Wege.
Staff: Chris Blake (786-7392).
Background:
Pharmacists are regulated by the Board of Pharmacy. They are authorized to interpret prescription orders; compound, dispense, label, administer, and distribute drugs; monitor drug therapy; participate in drug utilization reviews and drug product selection; store, distribute, and maintain records of drugs and devices; and provide information on legend drugs. In addition, pharmacists may initiate drug therapy in accordance with a collaborative drug therapy agreement (CDTA).
A CDTA is a set of written guidelines or protocols established by a health care practitioner who is authorized to prescribe drugs in which authority is delegated to a pharmacist to conduct specific prescribing functions. Among the health care practitioners that may prescribe drugs are physicians, osteopathic physicians, optometrists, dentists, podiatric physicians, veterinarians, certain registered nurses, and advanced registered nurse practitioners.
Summary of Substitute Bill:
Licensed pharmacists may prescribe legend drugs to the extent allowed by a collaborative drug therapy agreement authorized by the Board of Pharmacy and approved by a practitioner authorized to prescribe drugs.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This bill is a technical fix for an area where pharmacists have been omitted as a provider. Pharmacists in Washington have already been able to prescribe through collaborative drug therapy agreements (CDTAs). This bill is not intended to increase the prescriptive authority of pharmacists. There are about 2,500 active CDTAs on file with the Board of Pharmacy (Board) which help improve immunization rates. The CDTAs are very limited in scope and duration and this bill is not asking for carte blanche prescriptive authority for all drugs. Contemporary pharmacist practices include collaborative therapies.
(In support with amendments) The principle of CDTAs is good, however, the bill is written too broadly and should reference 18.64.011(23) to make it clear.
(Opposed) This bill gives full prescribing authority to pharmacists as long as the Board says it is alright. This bill should be narrowed to only address the technical issues that need to be fixed.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Jeff Rochon and Dedi Hitchens, Washington State Pharmacy Association; Al Linggi, Washington State Board of Pharmacy; and Holly Chisa, Northwest Grocery Association.
(In support with amendments) Carl Nelson, Washington State Medical Association.
(Opposed) Cliff Webster, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.