Texas House Bill HB1924

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/14/09
• Voted on by House: 4/27/09
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/21/09
• Voted on by Senate: 5/25/09
• Governor Action: 6/19/09
• Enrolled: 6/1/09
• Passed: 6/19/09

Caption

Relating to the performance of pharmacy services in certain rural areas.

Impact

The bill's enactment is expected to bridge the service gap for pharmacy provisions in rural areas, allowing pharmacy technicians to take on more responsibilities under the supervision of licensed pharmacists. This prompts an evolution in the labor structure of pharmacy operations in hospitals, potentially decreasing the workload of pharmacists while allowing for more efficient medication dispensing and management based on documented verifications. Moreover, it aims to ensure that rural hospitals can provide adequate pharmacy services without being hindered by a lack of available pharmacists.

Summary

House Bill 1924 is designed to enhance the performance of pharmacy services in certain rural hospitals by amending existing regulations. Specifically, the bill targets Class C pharmacies that are part of institutions with 100 beds or fewer. It mandates that such pharmacies have part-time or consulting pharmacists while establishing new provisions for supervising pharmacy technicians in rural settings. This is particularly significant for hospitals that are designated as critical access hospitals or located in counties with smaller populations, outlining the specific role of pharmacy technicians within these healthcare facilities.

Contention

While HB 1924 attempts to strengthen pharmacy services in rural areas, it does raise potential concerns related to the delegation of responsibilities to pharmacy technicians. Opposition may center around the adequacy of oversight and verification processes, particularly in emergencies or when immediate clinical decisions are necessary. Additionally, some stakeholders might argue about the level of training required for pharmacy technicians and whether they can adequately handle the responsibilities of order entry and medication management without direct supervision of a pharmacist at all times.