Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

___ HEALTH AND HUMAN
ERVICES/Regulatory
UMAN SERVICES
77 th Texas Legislature
Regulation of Telepharmacy Drug Dispensing - S.B. 65
by Senator Moncrief
House Sponsors: Representative Bob Turner, et al.
The Texas Senate Health Committee reports that 87% of Texas counties, in whole or in part, are
considered medically underserved. Since 1997, Texas has experienced a loss of more than 57 rural clinics
and five rural hospitals. One issue of concern is the severe shortage of pharmacists in Texas. Among rural
counties in Texas, 19 counties have no active pharmacy thereby forcing those patients and even some
patients within larger counties to travel great distances to reach a pharmacy.
Authorizes a community or institutional pharmacy (pharmacy) located in this state to provide pharmacy
services, including the dispensing of drugs through a telepharmacy system in a facility that is not at the
same location as the operating pharmacy.
Provides that a telepharmacy system is required to be under the continuous supervision of a pharmacist as
determined by board rule and requires a pharmacist to supervise a telepharmacy system electronically by
audio and video communication.
Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation (ICF/MR) - S.B. 83
by Senator Madla
House Sponsors: Representatives Uresti and Naishtat
Requires the Texas Board of Human Services (board), rather than the Texas Department of Human
Services (DHS), to administer and implement laws regarding intermediate care facilities for the mentally
retarded (ICF/MR). Before the board adopts a rule applicable to an ICF/MR, the board is required to
present the proposed rule to the commissioner of MHMR for review.
Requires DHS to have specialized staff that conducts inspections, surveys, or investigations of ICF-MRs.
Requires DHS and MHMR to ensure the short-term and long-term well being of clients when closing an
ICF/MR.
Automated Prescription Drug Dispensing Regulation - S.B. 98
by Senator Nelson
House Sponsors: Representatives Maxey and Wohlgemuth
Technological advances have made it possible for the development of automated pharmacy systems,
which use computer technology to package and dispense prescription drugs and maintain related
transaction information to reduce drug waste, human error, and drug-related costs. Current law does not
provide for the use of such automated systems in a facility that is not in the same location as a Class A or
Class C pharmacy.
Authorizes a Class A or Class C pharmacy to provide services through an automated pharmacy system in
a facility that is not at the same location as the Class A or Class C pharmacy. The bill provides that the
pharmacist in charge of the Class A or Class C pharmacy is responsible for filling and loading the storage
containers for medication stored in bulk at the facility.
Senate Research Center 150