In a significant win for pharmacy, Senate Bill 1056, clarifying collaborative practice between a physician and a pharmacist, passed the Texas House of Representatives on Wednesday and will now go to the governor’s desk. The bill amends the Occupations Code by clarifying that a physician may delegate to any properly qualified and trained pharmacist the implementation and modification of a patient’s drug therapy under protocol.
As a reminder, in 2009, the Texas Legislature unintentionally passed confusing and conflicting statutory language about which pharmacists may be delegated activities by a physician. The current statute only allows pharmacists practicing in a hospital, hospital-based clinic, or academic healthcare institution to implement or modify a patient’s drug therapy under a physician’s protocol through collaborative practice.
"This bill rectifies the confusion and especially helps our community and long-term care/consultant pharmacist members to practice in team-based care," said Texas Pharmacy Association CEO Debbie Garza. "TPA is pleased to have worked with the Texas Medical Association on this bill to advance team-based care and improve patient outcomes in our state."
TPA fought off a harmful physician dispensing amendment from being added to the bill just before passage. Thanks to Senator Judith Zaffirini and Rep. John Raney for sponsoring this legislation, and to Chairman Four Price for advancing this bill from the House Calendars Committee.
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