Mississippi House Bill HB682

Mississippi 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/17/22
• Refer: 1/17/22
• Failed: 2/1/22

Caption

Pharmacists; authorize to test for and treat certain minor, nonchronic health conditions subject to certain requirements.

Impact

If enacted, HB 682 will introduce new regulations under Section 73-21-131 of the Mississippi Code, mandating that the State Board of Pharmacy collaborate with the State Board of Medical Licensure and the Mississippi Board of Nursing to define the specifics of which conditions can be treated by pharmacists. By allowing pharmacists to handle tasks traditionally reserved for doctors, the bill could reduce the strain on healthcare systems, particularly in rural or low-access areas, potentially leading to quicker patient care for minor health issues. However, this also raises discussions about the scope of pharmacy practice and the quality of care delivered.

Summary

House Bill 682 aims to expand the role of pharmacists in Mississippi by allowing them to test, screen, and treat specific minor, nonchronic health conditions. This legislative change is intended to enhance healthcare access, particularly in underserved areas, by enabling pharmacists, who are often more accessible to the public than traditional healthcare providers, to manage conditions like influenza, streptococcus, and other uncomplicated infections. The bill outlines a clear framework under which pharmacists can operate, including the completion of approved education courses and maintaining adequate liability insurance.

Contention

While proponents argue that this bill will increase healthcare accessibility and reduce overall healthcare costs by providing straightforward treatment for minor health issues, there are concerns from some medical professionals regarding the adequacy of training pharmacists receive to make clinical decisions. Critics fear that expanding the role of pharmacists could undermine the authority of other healthcare professionals and possibly lead to misdiagnoses or inappropriate treatments. However, the bill includes requirements for pharmacists to have established protocols with supervising practitioners for certain conditions, which aims to balance the expanded scope of practice with professional oversight.