82R8533 JSC-D
By: Castro H.B. No. 2534
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of a prescription medication information
literacy plan and pilot programs to implement that plan.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 107A, Health and Safety Code, is amended
by designating Sections 107A.001, 107A.002, and 107A.003, Health
and Safety Code, as Subchapter A, Chapter 107A, Health and Safety
Code, and adding a heading to Subchapter A to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 2. Chapter 107A, Health and Safety Code, is amended
by adding Subchapter B to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER B. PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION INFORMATION LITERACY
Sec. 107A.051. DEVELOPMENT OF LITERACY PLAN. (a) The
office shall develop a prescription medication information
literacy plan to improve patient compliance with physician
instructions for taking prescription medication.
(b) Medication literature created or modified under the
plan must:
(1) be appropriate for the literacy level of the
general population of this state, including persons who receive
medical assistance under Chapter 32, Human Resources Code, and the
parents or guardians of children covered by the child health plan
under Chapter 62, Health and Safety Code;
(2) be written in a format that is easy to understand;
(3) be available in English, Spanish, and any other
language appropriate to the demographic needs of the area in which
the pharmacy distributing the prescriptions is located; and
(4) include additional information to assist a person
in complying with physician instructions for taking the medication
and receiving the best therapeutic benefit from the medication.
(c) The office shall identify the best methods and practices
for producing medically accurate information that meets the
criteria in Subsection (b) and disseminating that information.
Sec. 107A.052. PILOT PROGRAMS. (a) The office shall create
pilot programs to implement the provisions of the prescription
medication information literacy plan developed under Section
107A.051.
(b) In selecting locations for the pilot programs under this
section, the office shall identify areas in which a significant
portion of the population is covered by:
(1) the medical assistance program under Chapter 32,
Human Resources Code; or
(2) the child health plan under Chapter 62, Health and
Safety Code.
(c) The office shall implement:
(1) at least one pilot program in a rural area; and
(2) at least one pilot program in an urban area.
(d) The office may implement pilot programs in addition to
the pilot programs described by Subsection (c) if funding is
available.
(e) The office may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and
donations to support the pilot programs under this section.
(f) The office shall provide training and outreach to
pharmacists and pharmacy staff in areas covered by a pilot program
under this section to ensure proper use of the literature developed
under Section 107A.051.
(g) Each pharmacy in an area covered by the pilot program
shall implement the provisions of the plan developed under Section
107A.051.
(h) The executive commissioner of the Health and Human
Services Commission may adopt rules necessary for the
implementation of the pilot programs under this section.
(i) Not later than January 1, 2013, the office shall submit
a report to the legislature on:
(1) the efficacy of pilot programs implemented under
this section; and
(2) recommendations for legislation to improve health
prescription medication information literacy.
(j) This section expires September 1, 2013.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2011.