HOUSE BILL REPORT

                     SSB 5465

                              As Passed House

                               March 3, 1992

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, February 26, 1992, DP;

Passed House, March 3, 1992, 95-1.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

HEALTH CARE

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 10 members:  Representatives Braddock, Chair; Day, Vice Chair; Moyer, Ranking Minority Member; Casada, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Cantwell; Edmondson; Franklin; Morris; Paris; and Prentice.

Staff:  John Welsh (786-7133).

Background:  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 a pharmacist.

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. However, there is no similar ratio requirement for pharmacists employed in nursing homes or residential habilitation centers serving the developmentally disabled.

There is currently no legal requirement that the preparation of medicines for in-patients be separated from any area of the pharmacy where the dispensing of prescriptions to out-patients occurs.

Summary of Bill:  A pharmacist employed in a nursing home or residential habilitation center serving the developmentally disabled may not supervise more that 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.

The preparation of medicines for in-patients 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 the more efficient operation of pharmacies in nursing homes and residential habilitation centers.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Don Williams, Pharmacy Board (pro); Lars Hennum, Pharmacists of Washington (pro); and Steve Singer, Evergreen Pharmacy (pro).