Advocacy Alert: Empowering Pharmacists and Better Data Act
October 4, 2018
HB 4275: Empowering Pharmacists in the Fight Against Opioid Abuse Act
On November 7, 2017, Representative Mark DeSaulnier and 12 other Representatives presented HB 4275, otherwise known as the Empowering Pharmacists in the Fight Against Opioid Abuse Act.
The bill, if passed, would require the Department of Health and Human Services to develop and disseminate training programs and materials on the circumstances under which a pharmacist may refuse to fill a controlled substance prescription suspected to be fraudulent, forged, or indicative of abuse or diversion. These programs and materials would have to be developed within one year after being enacted.
The bill passed the House on June 12, 2018, and is currently in the Senate's Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
BHAP supports this bill. This bill will give pharmacists the education and ability to deny prescriptions when there seems to be something out of order.
We encourage you to reach out to your representative and express your support of HB 4275.
HB 5473: Better Pain Management Through Better Data Act of 2018
On April 14, 2018, Representative Barbara Comstock and 6 other Representatives introduced HB 5473, otherwise known as the Better Pain Management Through Better Data Act of 2018.
The bill, if passed, would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to update or issue one or more guidelines addressing alternative methods for data collection on opioid sparing and inclusion of such data in product labeling.
The bill passed the House on June 12, 2018, and is currently in the Senate's Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
BHAP opposes this bill. Spending money to label opioid products with opioid-sparing information won't be helpful, as the information won't be considered by the patient. This type of intervention needs to take place prior to the issuance of the medication.
We encourage you to reach out to your representative and express your opposition of HB 5473.
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