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.