SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6038

BYSenators Wojahn, Kiskaddon, Kreidler, Deccio and Tanner

Permitting medicare-approved dialysis centers to disperse certain legend drugs.

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 4, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Wojahn, Chairman; Stratton, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Deccio, Johnson, Kiskaddon, Kreidler, Tanner.

Senate Staff:Carol Pedigo (786-7417)

                  March 18, 1987

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 17, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Washington has approximately 800 citizens currently utilizing home kidney dialysis machines.  The process requires that four drugs be placed into the machine by the patient before each use.  These drugs are stored at the dialysis center and delivered to the patient's home in one month supplies.

Under current law, drugs can only be dispensed by a licensed pharmacist.  It was brought to the Pharmacy Board's attention that the current practice of delivery of drugs for home dialysis is outside the law.  If the law is not modified, kidney centers would be required to hire a pharmacist simply to oversee delivery of these drugs.

SUMMARY:

Dialysis centers are allowed to sell, deliver, possess or dispense drugs to dialysis patients if such drugs were prescribed by a physician and are listed by the Pharmacy Board in WAC.

Fiscal Note:      requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Christopher Blagg, M.D., Northwest Kidney Center; Lars Hennum, Pharmacist Association; Don Williams, Pharmacy Board