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LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
PENNSYLVANIA MEDICAL SOCIETY Quarterly Legislative Update
Prior Auth—SB 225—PAMED is part of a 40+ member to allow pharmacists to administer flu vaccines to children ages coalition pushing for the passage of SB 225. At present, a 9 and above. Pharmacists are prohibited from delegating their final omnibus amendment to SB 225 is being drafted after injectable authority but pharmacy interns under the direct, extensive meetings between stakeholders. Commitments from immediate and personal supervision of a pharmacist are also Senate republican leaders and the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Kristin allowed to administer injectables under the same conditions Phillips-Hill, has been the driving force to reach meaningful applicable to pharmacists. agreements with the health insurers. Although a “date certain” Restricted Covenants—HB 681—This bill was approved by for a senate floor vote remains somewhat elusive, all indications the House Health Committee last year and is currently awaiting point to late May. PAMED will begin a grassroots campaign final passage by the full House of Representatives. Opposition to get physicians engaged in calling their senators. (PAMED by the Hospital Association, in conjunction with a number of initiated this initiative nearly 6 years ago.) legislators, has dramatically slowed the consideration of this IMG Licensure Parity—HB 245—After several years of nav- proposal. PAMED continues to coordinate legislative strategy. igating the legislative process, this legislation won the approval EPT—SB 317—Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) legislation of the General Assembly and was signed into law on April 19 has now cleared the Senate and the House Health Committee. as ACT 16 of 2022. The bill reduces the number of resident The bill provides liability protections to physicians who elect years, from 3 to 2, that IMGs must complete to qualify for a to treat the sexual partner of a patient who has contracted an medical license. This brings IMGs into parity with graduates STI. PAMED has joined with the OB/GYNs in supporting of American and Canadian medical schools. (HB 245 was this initiative. Final passage is expected in the near term. legislation sponsored on behalf of PAMED.) Test Records—HB 1280—Originally initiated by PAMED Pharmacy—HB 1535/SB 515—This bill proposes to, among after the passage of ACT 112 of 2018, this bill will significantly other things, grant pharmacists with the authority to provide change the requirements that currently exist under ACT 112. childhood immunizations for children ages 3 and above. It also The bill will require imaging facilities to provide a written grants the ability of pharmacists to provide flu and Covid-19 notice to patients undergoing an imaging study (excluding vaccines to children. PAMED has joined with our physician x-rays) reminding them to contact their referring physician coalition partners in opposing these bills. We are aware that for the test results if they have not heard from them within 21 Rep. David Hickernell will be introducing his own version of days. The bill has passed the House and is currently awaiting HB 1535 that will limit expanded services by pharmacists to Senate Health Committee consideration. flu and Covid-19 vaccines for individuals aged 9 and above. Since 2002 the Pharmacy Act has authorized pharmacists to administer injectable medications, biologicals and immunizations to individuals ages 18 and above. The Act was amended in 2015
Stay up to date on PAMED’s legislative priorities at
www.pamedsoc.org/Advocacy Central PA Medicine Spring 2022 17