Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Health Care & Wellness Committee

SB 5549

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.

Brief Description: Concerning the registration and disciplining of pharmacy assistants.

Sponsors: Senators Jayapal, Angel, Keiser and Cleveland; by request of Department of Health.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (Commission) to adopt rules to provide for the registration of pharmacy assistants at a fee determined by the Secretary of the Department of Health.

  • Allows the Commission to take disciplinary action against the registration of a pharmacy assistant upon proof of certain actions.

Hearing Date: 2/24/16

Staff: Ariele Landstrom (786-7190).

Background:

A pharmacy assistant is a person registered by the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (Commission) to perform limited functions in a pharmacy. Pharmacy assistants may perform, under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist, duties including, but not limited to, typing of prescription labels, filing, refiling, bookkeeping, pricing, stocking, delivery, nonprofessional phone inquiries, and documentation of third-party reimbursements. Pharmacy assistants may also prepackage and label drugs for subsequent use in prescription dispensing operations and count, pour, and label for individual prescriptions. Pharmacy assistants are required, in rule, to be registered with the Commission. The fee for registration of pharmacy assistants is included in the fee the pharmacy pays to utilize pharmacy ancillary personnel.

The Uniform Disciplinary Act governs the issuance and denial of certificates and discipline of certificants under provisions related to pharmacy ancillary personnel. The Commission may take disciplinary action against the certificate of any pharmacy technician upon proof of certain actions.

Summary of Bill:

The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (Commission) must adopt rules to provide for the registration of pharmacy assistants at a fee determined by the Secretary of the Department of Health.

The Uniform Disciplinary Act governs the issuance and denial of pharmacy assistant registrations and discipline of pharmacy assistants. The Commission may take disciplinary action against the registration of any pharmacy assistant upon proof of certain actions.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.