SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5465

             AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE,

                               FEBRUARY 14, 1991

Brief Description:  Concerning the ratio of pharmacy assistants.

SPONSORS:Senators West, Moore, Conner, McDonald, Newhouse, Nelson, Bluechel, Johnson, Niemi, Wojahn and von Reichbauer.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG‑TERM CARE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5465 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators West, Chairman; L. Smith, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Johnson, L. Kreidler, Niemi, and Wojahn.

Staff:  Scott Plack (786‑7409)

Hearing Dates:February 12, 1991; February 14, 1991

BACKGROUND:

Current law requires that level A pharmacy assistants be supervised by licensed pharmacists.  Level A pharmacy assistants aid in the performance of manipulative and non-discretionary functions associated with the practice of pharmacy.  The statutes specify the number of level A pharmacy assistants which one pharmacist may supervise.  In retail settings, the ratio is set at one level A pharmacy assistant to one pharmacist.  Pharmacies located in licensed acute care hospitals, private hospitals and sanitariums for the treatment of the mentally ill, incompetent or alcoholic, or for pharmacies providing services to any of these facilities, the ratio is set at three level A pharmacy assistants to one pharmacist.

SUMMARY:

Pharmacies located in nursing homes or who provide services to patients in nursing homes are permitted to allow three level A pharmacy assistants to be under the supervision of one licensed pharmacist.  Pharmacies providing services to patients of hospitals, private hospitals and nursing homes must be physically separated from any other pharmacies on the premise providing services to non-inpatient customers.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

An incorrect statutory reference is corrected.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

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

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Lars Hennum, Pharmacists of WA; Rick Doane, Evergreen Pharmaceutical Service; Don Williams, Pharmacy Board