
The state House of Representatives passed a bill that would remove three non-narcotic/non-opiod, Schedule V epilepsy drugs from requirements in the Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Act. Now prescribers will only need to query the database prior a patient’s initial prescription. The Epilepsy Foundation of Western and Central Pennsylvania supports House Bill 395 by Representative Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks), because of their concerns regarding access to these prescriptions by people with epilepsy and seizure disorder. The legislation will now head to the Senate for concurrence.
The House is also nearing passage of House Bill 454 by Representative DeLuca. Reintroduced from the previous session, the legislation would require pharmacy technicians be licensed by the state to ensure adequate training and minimum standard requirements. PFMA has been neutral on this bill in the past, and remains neutral.
Additionally, two new bills were introduced this month looking to build on the successes of legislation passed in the previous session that expanded access to influenza vaccinations by licensed pharmacists, which PFMA worked on with the pharmacy community to get passed. Senate Bill 626 (Senator McGarrigle) and House Bill 1089 (Representative Grove) would allow pharmacists to administer any type of immunization shot to children ages nine years and older, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control. The legislation would also allow pharmacists who are licensed and credentialed in other starts to give influenza vaccinations to use that license in Pennsylvania.
PFMA supports both bills, which would improve access to potentially lifesaving immunizations and provide greater convenience to patients.
The House is also nearing passage of House Bill 454 by Representative DeLuca. Reintroduced from the previous session, the legislation would require pharmacy technicians be licensed by the state to ensure adequate training and minimum standard requirements. PFMA has been neutral on this bill in the past, and remains neutral.
Additionally, two new bills were introduced this month looking to build on the successes of legislation passed in the previous session that expanded access to influenza vaccinations by licensed pharmacists, which PFMA worked on with the pharmacy community to get passed. Senate Bill 626 (Senator McGarrigle) and House Bill 1089 (Representative Grove) would allow pharmacists to administer any type of immunization shot to children ages nine years and older, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control. The legislation would also allow pharmacists who are licensed and credentialed in other starts to give influenza vaccinations to use that license in Pennsylvania.
PFMA supports both bills, which would improve access to potentially lifesaving immunizations and provide greater convenience to patients.