SRC-VRA C.S.S.B. 939 78(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 939
By: Janek
Health & Human Services
3/19/2003
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, there is a shortage of specialty pharmacists in Texas.
Increasing the permissible number of technicians per pharmacist from three
to five would address this shortage by allowing the specialty pharmacists
to have more time to interact with their patients.  Specialty pharmacies
are adversely affected by the current pharmacist/technician ratio because
technicians are involved in producing the product rather than handling
refills and performing other routine tasks.  C.S.S.B. 939 requires the
ratio of pharmacists to pharmacy technicians in a Class A pharmacy to be
at least one pharmacist for every five pharmacy technicians.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to
a state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 568, Occupations Code, by adding Section
568.006, as follows: 

Sec.  568.006.  RATIO OF PHARMACISTS TO PHARMACY TECHNICIANS.  Requires
the ratio of pharmacists to pharmacy technicians in a Class A pharmacy to
be at least one pharmacist for every five pharmacy technicians if the
Class A pharmacy dispenses not more than 20 different prescription drugs
and does not produce intravenous or intramuscular drugs on-site. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.



SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.  Adds requirement that a Class A pharmacy dispense not more
than 20 different prescription drugs and not produce intravenous or
intramuscular drugs on-site in order for the ratio of pharmacists to
pharmacy technicians to apply.