Texas Representative Kevin Roberts (R-Houston) Files Legislation to Enhance Patient Access to Certain Health Care Services by Pharmacists

AUSTIN, Texas, March 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Texas Pharmacy Association (TPA) announced that earlier this week, House Bill 2444 was filed by Texas Representative Kevin Roberts that would authorize pharmacists to furnish certain medications and receive compensation for certain services and procedures.

"As the need and demand for healthcare services continue to grow so must the locations for patients to access the care," stated Rep. Roberts.  "With 8-10 years of college education and professional training, pharmacists are greatly underutilized professionals within the healthcare team. Countless studies have shown pharmacists not only can and do improve the health status of patients when proactively engaged in their care but also provide significant cost savings."

Rep. Roberts worked with the Texas Pharmacy Association (TPA) to develop this legislation to allow Texas pharmacists to furnish a limited list of medications based on results of clinical tests pharmacists already are allowed to conduct by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) of 1988 and subsequent United States federal regulatory standards.

Pharmacists would utilize results of CLIA-waived tests to furnish related medications when needed in situations which do not require diagnosis. Initially, the furnishing of medication would require a physician's order based on a standard of practice agreement obtained by the pharmacist from a physician.  These situations would include the following:

Each year, on average, 5 percent to 20 percent of the U.S. population gets the flu, tens of thousands are hospitalized and thousands die from flu-related illness. This costs an estimated $10.4 billion a year in direct medical expenses and an additional $16.3 billion in lost earnings annually. Employers can play an important role in preventing flu, helping to protect employees' health and reducing losses in productivity and revenue. HB 2444 will reduce these numbers in Texas.

"Texas pharmacists are extremely pleased that Rep. Roberts filed HB 2444 and for his recognition of the important role that pharmacist have in enhancing patient access to needed health care services," said TPA President Rene Garza of Stonegate Pharmacy in Austin. "When this legislation passes, pharmacies across the state will have the ability to perform a flu or strep test and when needed, furnish our patients with the appropriate medication so that they can quickly get home to rest and heal." 

About TPA
The Texas Pharmacy Association, established in 1879, is a statewide professional organization representing all Texas pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and student pharmacists. TPA is dedicated to advancing the practice of pharmacy to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all Texans. Currently, there are more than 31,000 pharmacists, 60,000 pharmacy technicians and almost 4,000 student pharmacists in Texas. For more information, visit www.texaspharmacy.org.

SOURCE Texas Pharmacy Association