SRC-CTC S.B. 65 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 65 By: Moncrief Health & Human Services 6/18/2001 Enrolled DIGEST AND PURPOSE Access to pharmacist care is essential to healthcare delivery in Texas. Advances in technology and automation in the dispensing of pharmaceuticals allow for an increase in such access. S.B. 65 allows Class A or Class C pharmacies to provide regulated telepharmacy services in remote communities not currently served by those classes of pharmacies. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas State Board of Pharmacy in SECTION 1 (Section 562.110, Occupations Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 562C, Occupations Code, by adding Section 562.110, as follows: Sec. 562.110. TELEPHARMACY SYSTEMS. (a) Defines "telepharmacy system." (b) Authorizes a Class A or Class C pharmacy located in this state to provide pharmacy services, including the dispensing of drugs, through a telepharmacy system in a facility that is not at the same location as the Class A or Class C pharmacy. (c) Provides that a telepharmacy system is required to be under the continuous supervision of a pharmacist as determined by rule of the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (board). Provides that the pharmacist is not required to be physically present at the site of the telepharmacy system to qualify as continuous supervision. Requires the pharmacist to supervise the system electronically by audio and video communication. (d) Authorizes a telepharmacy system to be located only at a health care facility in this state that is regulated by this state or the United States. (e) Requires the board to adopt rules regarding the use of a telepharmacy system under this section, including certain rules. (f) Prohibits a telepharmacy system from being located in a community in which a Class A or Class C pharmacy is located, as determined by board rule. Authorizes the telepharmacy system to continue to operate in the community if a Class A or Class C pharmacy is established in a community in which a telepharmacy system has been located under this section. SECTION 2. Amends Section 57.042, Utilities Code, to define "telepharmacy system." SECTION 3. Amends Section 57.047(a), Utilities Code, to authorize the telecommunications infrastructure fund board to award a grant to a project or proposal that provides equipment and infrastructure necessary for a telepharmacy system. SECTION 4. Amends Section 58.253(a), Utilities Code, to require an electing company, on customer request, to provide network services to a project funded by the telecommunications infrastructure fund under Chapter 57C, except for a telepharmacy system. SECTION 5. (a) Effective date: September 1, 2001. (b) Requires the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (board) to adopt rules consistent with this Act by February 28, 2002. Prohibits pharmacy services from being provided through a telepharmacy system under Section 562.109, Occupations Code, as added by this Act, until the board adopts those rules.