TPA members Michelle Beall and Rannon Ching, along with CEO Debbie Garza, testified late Wednesday night before the House Public Health Committee in support of a committee substitute for HB 4285. The committee-substituted legislation increases access to care, lowers costs, and improves health outcomes by allowing pharmacists to furnish antiviral medications through a protocol with a physician for a positive result from a CLIA-waived test for influenza.
This would only apply to adults 18 years and older, and only after hours and on weekends when other healthcare providers (such as primary care physicians’ offices) are typically closed. Pharmacists may already perform CLIA-waived tests for flu, but they may not furnish medication based on the test result. The bill does not allow a pharmacist to independently furnish medication, nor does it permit a pharmacist to furnish anything other than antiviral medication for the flu.
“If we were able to test and treat as outlined in this bill, I could help my patients get affordable, immediate treatment and care,” Beall said. TPA thanks Rep. Bill Zedler for sponsoring this legislation! Read the full testimony from Beall, Ching, and Garza online..
TPA testifies before the House Public Health Committee to support test and treat legislation.
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