TX – State Proposal would Permit Pharmacists to Order Antibiotics, Other Drugs

March 2017~

In an effort to expand access to care, a proposed Texas law seeks to increasing access to care by allowing pharmacists authority of pharmacists to furnish certain medications and receive compensation for certain services and procedures.

If passed, House Bill 2444 would authorize pharmacists to furnish a limited list of medications based on results of clinical tests pharmacists already are allowed to conduct by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) of 1988 and subsequent U.S. federal regulatory standards.

Pharmacists would utilize results of CLIA-waived tests to provide related medications when needed in situations that do not require diagnosis.

Initially, the furnishing of medication would require a physician’s order based on a standard of practice agreement obtained by the pharmacist from a physician.

Rep. Kevin Roberts who worked with the Texas Pharmacy Association (TPA) to develop the bill stated, “As the need and demand for health care services continue to grow, so must the locations for patients to access the care.”

“With 8-10 years of college education and professional training, pharmacists are greatly underutilized professionals within the health care team. Countless studies have shown pharmacists not only can and do improve the health status of patients when proactively engaged in their care but also provide significant cost savings,” Roberts continued.

Source(s): Modern Healthcare, March 2017; Texas Pharmacy, March 2017; capitol.state.tx.us, March 2017; PR Newswire, March 2017; Pharmacist, March 2017; Crossroads Today, March 2017;