HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SSB 5465

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                         Health Care

Title:  An act relating to the required pharmacy assistant ratio.

Brief Description:  Concerning the ratio of pharmacy assistants.

Sponsor(s):  Senate Committee on Health & Long‑Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators West, Moore, Conner, McDonald, Newhouse, Nelson, Bluechel, Johnson, Niemi, Wojahn and von Reichbauer).

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Health Care, April 4, 1991, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

HEALTH CARE

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Braddock, Chair; Day, Vice Chair; Moyer, Ranking Minority Member; Casada, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Cantwell; Edmondson; Franklin; Morris; Paris; Prentice; and Sprenkle.

Staff:  John Welsh (786-7133).

Background:  The law specifies that a pharmacist employed in a hospital or mental health facility may not supervise more than three Level A pharmacy assistants in the preparation of medicines for in-patients, nor more than one Level A pharmacy assistant in the preparation of medicines for out-patients.

A Level A pharmacy assistant aids in the performance of manipulative and non-discretionary functions associated with the practice of pharmacy, under the supervision of pharmacists.

Summary of Bill:  The law specifying the ratio of pharmacist supervision over Level A pharmacy assistants in hospitals and mental health facilities is extended to nursing homes and residential habilitation centers serving the developmentally disabled.

The preparation of medicines for in-patients in these institutions must be separated from any area of the pharmacy where the dispensing of prescriptions to out-patients occurs.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The bill will allow for more efficient operation of pharmacies in nursing homes and residential habilitation centers.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Lars Hennum, Pharmacists of Washington (pro); and Steve Singer, Evergreen Pharmaceutical Services (pro).