FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 26, 2013

CONTACT: Kurt Hammond, Public Information Officer – (360) 786-7794
Rep. Paul Harris – (360) 786-7976

Rep. Harris’ bills related to prescription drugs, licensed pharmacists signed into law

Bills prime sponsored by 17th District Rep. Paul Harris relating to funding the prescription monitoring program and allowing licensed pharmacists to prescribe legend drugs were signed by the governor this week.   House Bill 1565 allows the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) to be funded out of the Medicaid Fraud Penalty Account.   “The prescription monitoring program is a tool to help ensure client safety while preventing fraud, waste and abuse,” said Harris, R-Vancouver. “Prescription drug abuse is a huge problem that needs to be addressed. This should also help lower costs with fewer hospitalizations and emergency room visits.”   House Bill 1182 clarifies that licensed pharmacists may prescribe legend drugs, or drugs required to have a prescription as allowed by a collaborative drug therapy agreement. The agreement must be authorized by the Board of Pharmacy and approved by a practitioner authorized to prescribe drugs.   “Pharmacists have had the ability to collaborate with independent providers to provide care, primarily with vaccinations for over thirty years and there are more than three thousand of these agreements already on file with the Board of Pharmacy,” Harris said. “These agreements allow pharmacists to participate as part of a health care team to better serve patients.”   Both bills take effect 90 days after the regular session adjourns April 28.     PHOTO: Rep. Harris’ House Bill 1565 is signed into law by Gov. Inslee.   For more information, visit our Web site at: houserepublicans.wa.gov.

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Washington State House Republican Communications
houserepublicans.wa.gov
455 John L. O’Brien Building
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600