Texas House Bill HB2087

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to the Texas State Board of Pharmacy.

Impact

By enhancing the board's composition, HB2087 seeks to ensure that decisions made by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy are informed by diverse perspectives, especially from current practitioners in the pharmacy field. The amendments aim to improve regulatory practices within the board, which could subsequently influence the level of service provided by pharmacies throughout Texas. Ultimately, these changes could lead to better management of pharmacy practices, ensuring a more effective response to the evolving needs of the workforce and the public in the realm of pharmacy services.

Summary

House Bill 2087 addresses amendments to the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, which oversees the licensing and regulation of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in Texas. One of the notable changes proposed in this bill is the increase in the number of board members from nine to eleven, allowing for broader representation. Specifically, it insists that the board must include at least one member who is a pharmacy technician and outlines the qualifications necessary for a pharmacy technician's representation on the board, such as residency and active registration status for a minimum period prior to appointment.

Contention

Some possible areas of contention surround the qualifications stipulated for the pharmacy technician representative and the overall effectiveness of increasing board membership. Critiques may arise regarding whether expanding the board genuinely improves representation or simply complicates decision-making processes. Additionally, questions could be raised about the adequacy of pharmacy technicians' perspectives in shaping pharmacy policies, given that their roles and experiences differ significantly from those of pharmacists. As discussions and debates continue, various stakeholders, including professional pharmacy associations and public health advocates, will weigh in on the necessity and implications of these changes.