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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Deberah Kula |
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House passes Kula proposal expanding role of pharmacists
in state’s health-care system
HARRISBURG, Dec. 3 – The state House of Representatives unanimously passed a measure today introduced by state Rep. Deberah Kula, D-Fayette/Westmoreland, that would expand the role of pharmacists in the management of patient care and in the state’s health-care system overall.
The measure (H.B. 1250) is part of Gov. Ed Rendell’s Prescription for Pennsylvania health-care reform initiative aimed at improving access to and the quality of heath care in Pennsylvania.
Kula said a major component of the Prescription for Pennsylvania is expanding the role of a number of health-care professions to provide access to more residents at lower cost. During the summer, the General Assembly passed several laws authorizing physician assistants, nurse mid-wives, nurse practitioners and dental hygienists to practice to the full extent of their training and education, and to play a more vital role in patient care.
“Back in July, we addressed many of the problems that are crippling our health-care system here in Pennsylvania. That included giving certain health-care professionals the ability to use their knowledge, expertise and skill to the fullest extent,” Kula said. “Given the growing emphasis on patient safety and limiting medical errors as a key to providing cost-effective and quality care, it is appropriate to add pharmacists to the list and increase their role in patient care.”
Under current law, pharmacists can manage drug therapy for patients only when they practice in an institutional setting such as a hospital or nursing home. Kula said her bill would permit pharmacists to enter into a collaborative agreement with a physician to perform drug therapy management outside an institutional setting if the pharmacist meets certain requirements. Some of these requirements include evidence of training in the diseases they are managing through drug therapy, compliance with registration requirements and proof of professional liability insurance covering $1 million per occurrence.
“We have qualified pharmacists who are prepared, capable, experienced and, most importantly, willing to help address a significant part of our health-care crisis,” she added. “These pharmacists are well-positioned to not only accept the additional responsibility of collaborating in patient care, but to make a real difference in improving the overall outcomes of our health-care system.”
Kula said her proposal also includes a provision that would require pharmacy technicians to register with the State Board of Pharmacy. Currently, there is no licensure, registration or certification requirement for pharmacy technicians.
The bill does contain a provision that would grandfather in technicians who have been employed for a minimum of 2,000 hours during the last three years, or who maintain a current certification by a nationally recognized pharmacy technician association.
According to the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, it is projected that health-care spending in the United States will reach $3.1 trillion and will constitute 17.7 percent of gross domestic product by the year 2012. In addition, it is estimated that prescription drug costs will increase from $121 billion in 2001 to more than $445 billion in 2012.
“By expanding the roles of pharmacists, and making sure pharmacy technicians are registered and accountable, we have the opportunity to make our state’s health-care system safer, more accessible and more cost-effective,” Kula said.
Kula added that programs administered by the U.S. Public Health Service, the nation’s armed forces and the Veterans Health Administration, as well as 38 states across the country, now include expanding the participation of pharmacists as a key element of their health-care system.
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CONTACT: Bill Thomas |