Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2157

Introduced
1/29/25  

Caption

Expanding pharmacist's scope of practice to include point-of-care testing for and treatment of COVID-19.

Impact

The impact of HB2157 on state law is primarily aimed at strengthening the role of pharmacists in public health. By amending K.S.A. 65-16,131 to include COVID-19 along with other health conditions like influenza and urinary tract infections in the statewide protocols, the bill aims to increase the accessibility of healthcare services. As pharmacists initiate therapy for these conditions, patients may find it more convenient to receive care directly from local pharmacies rather than navigating through traditional healthcare systems, which can be overloaded in times of crisis. This accessibility is crucial in a public health scenario, especially during ongoing or future pandemics.

Summary

House Bill 2157 is focused on expanding the scope of practice for pharmacists in Kansas. Specifically, the bill allows pharmacists to conduct point-of-care testing and initiate treatment for COVID-19, which is a significant addition to the services that pharmacists can offer. This legislation is positioned to enhance public health responses by enabling pharmacists to play a more active role in managing the treatment and testing of COVID-19 within communities. Such a move could alleviate some burdens on healthcare systems during peak times and improve accessibility for patients seeking care.

Contention

While the bill has potential benefits, it also raises questions regarding the expansion of pharmacists' responsibilities and the adequacy of training provided for new treatment protocols. Critics may argue that without proper oversight and clear guidelines, the quality of care could vary. Additionally, concerns around patient safety and the extent of pharmacists' roles in clinical decision-making may arise, leading to discussions on the need for adequate training and public assurance of the pharmacists' capability to handle such expanded responsibilities. The balance between increased access to care and ensuring high standards of healthcare delivery will likely be a focal point of debate.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS HB2747

Expanding the pharmacist scope of practice to include initiation of therapy for HIV post-exposure prophylaxis.

KS SB496

Expanding the scope of practice of naturopathic doctors, specifying continuing education requirements, increasing the required amount of professional liability insurance and modifying certain provisions relating to the licensure and regulations of naturopathic doctors.

KS SB121

Broadening the scope of practice of naturopathic doctors and changing certain provisions pertaining to the licensure and regulation of naturopathic doctors.

KS SB287

House Substitute for SB 287 by Committee on Health and Human Services - Prohibiting a healthcare provider from administering medication, diagnostic tests or conducting ongoing behavioral health treatments to a minor in a school facility without parental consent, enacting the no patient left alone act to require medical care facilities to allow in-person visitation in certain circumstances, expanding licensure of rural emergency hospitals that meet criteria between January 2015 and December 2020 and authorizing emergency medical responders to distribute non prescription over-the-counter medications.

KS HB2779

Updating certain provisions of the optometry law relating to scope of practice, definitions and credentialing requirements.

KS SB490

Updating certain provisions of the optometry law relating to scope of practice, definitions and credentialing requirements.

KS HB2390

House Substitute for HB 2390 by Committee on Public Health and Welfare - Requiring the secretary of health and environment to study drug overdose death cases and providing for the confidentiality of acquired and related records, restricting the authority of the secretary of health and environment and local health officers to prevent the introduction and spread of infectious or contagious diseases and repealing the authority of the secretary to quarantine individuals and impose associated penalties.

KS SB63

Expanding the scope of uses of campaign contributions to include family caregiving services.

KS SB233

House Substitute for SB 233 by Committee on Health and Human Services - Enacting the forbidding abuse child transitions act, restricting use of state funds to promote gender transitioning, prohibiting healthcare providers from treating children whose gender identity is inconsistent with the child's sex, authorizing a civil cause of action against healthcare providers for providing such treatments, requiring professional discipline against a healthcare provider who performs such treatment, prohibiting professional liability insurance from covering damages for healthcare providers that provide gender transition treatment to children and adding violation of the act to the definition of unprofessional conduct for physicians and nurses.

KS HB2791

Enacting the forbidding abuse child transitions act, restricting use of state funds to promote gender transitioning, prohibiting healthcare professionals from treating children whose gender identity is inconsistent with the child's sex, authorizing a civil cause of action against healthcare professionals for providing such treatments, authorizing professional discipline against a physician who performs such treatment, prohibiting professional liability insurance from covering damages for healthcare providers that provide gender transition treatment to children and adding violation of the act to the definition of unprofessional conduct for physicians and nurses.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.