2017 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 146
BY SENATOR MILLS
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy to consider alternative training and
certification options for pharmacy technicians.
WHEREAS, pharmacists provide convenient healthcare services, including
medication management therapy, immunizations, long-acting injectable medications, disease
management, point-of-care testing, and patient assessments and screenings to a great number
of patients each day; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana pharmacists work in partnership with other healthcare entities
and providers to improve patient outcomes and public health in this state; and
WHEREAS, in an effort to improve patient care, Louisiana pharmacists and
pharmacy owners support a practice environment that utilizes and promotes pharmacy
technicians as essential members of the pharmacy care team; and
WHEREAS, certified pharmacy technicians in Louisiana work under the direct
supervision of a licensed pharmacist and assist pharmacists in preparing and dispensing
prescription medications, administrative duties, and performing pharmacy care services; and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy requires a certified pharmacy
technician to complete six hundred hours of board-approved training and pass a nationally
accredited certification examination; and
WHEREAS, although there are multiple nationally accredited training and
certification programs available, the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy has elected to recognize
only one such program; and
WHEREAS, because no single training and certification method meets the needs of
all pharmacy technicians or community pharmacies, pharmacists and pharmacy owners
support alternative options for pharmacy technicians so that those technicians may complete
a certification program that is best suited for the work they will perform in their unique
practice setting; and
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WHEREAS, the National Commission for Certifying Agencies is a nationally
recognized entity that accredits certification programs that are able to meet and comply with
its standards, and has accredited more than one pharmacy technician certification exam; and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy should consider whether those
training and certification programs made available by the National Commission for
Certifying Agencies or any other accreditation entity may be appropriate options for
pharmacy technicians.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby urge and request the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy to consider alternative
training and certification options for pharmacy technicians prior to adopting final rules
pursuant the Administrative Procedure Act regarding the board's rulemaking effort entitled
"Regulatory Project 2015-19 - Pharmacy Technicians".
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
executive director of the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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