SRC-DBM S.B. 1889 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1889 By: Nelson Health Services 5/2/1999 As Filed DIGEST Currently, pharmacy technicians working in Texas are not required to be certified. The Texas Board of Pharmacy is considering rules which would set minimum standards and require certification of pharmacy technicians. There have been instances where untrained children are filling prescriptions, labeling medication bottles, and dispensing drugs without the appropriate oversight of a pharmacist. S.B. 1889 would regulate pharmacy technicians. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1889 regulates pharmacy technicians. 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(o), Article 4542a-1, V.T.C.S.(Texas Pharmacy Act), to delete text prohibiting the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (board) from adopting rules or regulations establishing ratios of pharmacists to pharmacy technicians in Class C pharmacies. SECTION 2. Amends Article 4542a-1, V.T.C.S.(Texas Pharmacy Act), by adding Section 20A, as follows: Sec. 20A. QUALIFICATIONS FOR AND SUPERVISION OF PHARMACY TECHNICIANS. Sets forth certain requirements and provisions regarding pharmacy technicians required by board, in establishing rules under Section 17(o) of this Act. SECTION 3. (a) Effective date: September 1, 1999. (b) Requires that the rule of the Texas State Board of Pharmacy requiring that technicians pass the national pharmacy technician certification program, as provided by Subdivision (2), Section 20A (Article 4542a-1, V.T.C.S.(Texas Pharmacy Act)), as added by this Act, to be effective September 1, 1999. SECTION 4.Emergency clause.