On Tuesday, November 5, 2019, the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) postponed any decision on a proposed rule to eliminate the current 1:4 pharmacist-to-pharmacy technician ratio in community pharmacies and other licensed settings with a ratio. The Board heard testimony from about a dozen witnesses and received numerous statements from pharmacists and other stakeholders representing a wide range of viewpoints.
The Texas Pharmacy Association recommended in both written and oral comments that TSBP expand the pharmacist-to-pharmacy technician ratio to 1:8 in community pharmacies. Although some pharmacists favored no change to the current ratio and others preferred eliminating the ratio entirely, TPA advocated for a measured approach that moves the profession forward by allowing pharmacists appropriately broad flexibility to exercise their professional judgment in deciding how to best utilize their clinical skills and personnel resources for their practice.
"We heard from our members about the many challenges they face, in both independent and chain pharmacy settings," CEO Debbie Garza said. "Our Board of Directors is a diverse group, and I'm proud that it carefully considered the various perspectives to craft a position that would benefit the profession as a whole."
In its letter, TPA wrote that “expanding the pharmacist-to-pharmacy technician ratio will not only improve the safety of the prescription process by reducing the distractions represented by administrative tasks performed today by pharmacists, but also enable highly trained pharmacists to use their valuable education, training, and time to provide patient services beyond prescription drug dispensing." The Association noted that it has reviewed pharmacist-to-pharmacy technician ratios in other states—many of whom have no ratios at all—and "concludes that there is no evidence among states with expanded ratios that a ratio of 1:8 would compromise patient safety or quality of care in Texas.” Read the full letter from TPA online.
In May, TSBP will consider proposed rules for expanded pharmacy technician of allowing pharmacy technicians to receive new oral prescriptions, receive oral prescription transfers, and clarify prescriptions with prescribers. TPA will formulate positions on these topics during the coming months.
The Texas State Board of Pharmacy hears testimony from TPA CEO Debbie Garza and Speaker-Elect Rannon Ching about expanding technician supervision ratios.
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