SRC-CDH S.B. 786 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 786
By: Madla
Health & Human Services
3-24-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, under the definition of "practice of pharmacy," a pharmacist is
allowed to administer medications in certain situations; however this
administrative authority does not include administration of immunizations
or vaccinations.  Each year, approximately 60,000 Americans die of
vaccine-preventable infections, and Texas' immunization rate of 71 percent
ranks the state 38th in the nation.   This legislation provides that
nothing in the Texas Pharmacy Act shall be construed to prohibit a
pharmacist from administering immunizations, in an effort to make
vaccinations and immunizations more easily-accessible and improve the
current health care delivery system.   

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 786 establishes the authority of pharmacists to
administer immunizations.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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(a), Article 4542a-1, V.T.C.S. (Texas Pharmacy
Act), to establish that the Texas State Board of Pharmacy is responsible
for the regulation of the conditions under which a pharmacist is
authorized to administer medications, including the provision that nothing
in this section shall be construed to prohibit a pharmacist from
administering immunizations.  Makes a conforming change. 

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