BILL ANALYSIS


                                                        H.B. 1507
                                         By: Van de Putte (Madla)
                                        Health and Human Services
                                                           5-4-95
                              Senate Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

The health care community and the payers of health care are
continually searching for methods to improve the quality of health
care and improve the cost effectiveness of the delivery of health
care.  As a part of this trend, the providers of pharmaceutical
care services are continually looking for innovative methods to
enhance the provision of drug therapy and other pharmaceutical
services to assist in the cure or prevention of a disease,
elimination, or reduction of a patient's symptoms, or arresting or
slowing of a disease process.  Some of these ideas are not
practicable under the existing rules for the practice of pharmacy
and the Texas State Board of Pharmacy may be reluctant to amend the
rules to allow pharmacists to engage in these innovative practices. 
However, if the board is given the authority to authorize pilot or
demonstration research projects, these innovative practice ideas
would be allowed to be tested in a controlled environment.

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1507 authorizes the Texas State Board of Pharmacy
to approve certain pilot or demonstration research projects for
innovative applications in the practice of pharmacy.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or
agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 17, Article 4542a-1, V.T.C.S. (Texas
Pharmacy Act), by adding Subsection (v), to authorize the Texas
State Board of Pharmacy to approve pilot and demonstration research
projects for innovative applications in the practice of pharmacy. 
Requires the board to specify the procedures to be followed in
applying for project approval.  Authorizes the approval to include
the granting of an exception to rules adopted.  Authorizes the
board to condition approval of a project on compliance with this
subsection and its rules.  Prohibits this Act from being construed
to expand the definition of pharmacy.  Prohibits demonstration
projects from including therapeutic substitution or substitution of
medical devices used in patient care.

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.