Pharmacy PAC is an important advocate promoting a pharmacy-friendly legislative agenda. Participating in the legislative process by providing contributions to candidates who support pharmacy legislation is vital to the success of public health initiatives. A politically active and aware membership in Pharmacy PAC is vital to ensuring pharmacists’ professional interests are represented.

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2010 Legislative Priorities
The following details MPA’s legislative priorities in 2010.

Community Health Budget

1. Maintain the current dispensing fee
2. Oppose the pharmacy assessment tax (QAAP – quality assurance assessment program)
3. Payment for e-prescribing transmittal fee
4. Support move to AWP neutrality
5. AMP-AWP Language
6. MTM reimbursement

Outsourcing of prescriptions – MPA supports the elimination of a mandated mail order policy for state tax-supported prescription programs.

PBM issues – MPA supports PBM regulation.

Audit integrity – MPA supports H.B. 5475 and 5476 that would establish minimum, uniform standards and criteria for the audit of pharmacy records by or on behalf of certain entities.

Pharmacist liability immunity – MPA supports legislation that would provide liability immunity to pharmacists in the cases of wrongful utilization of prescription drugs.

Long-term care pharmacy definition – MPA supports H.B. 5547 that would further define institutional pharmacy practice.

Pharmacy technicians –MPA supports the recognition of pharmacy technicians, including licensure and certification.

Amend CII validity – MPA supports S.B. 689 that would lengthen the validity of a Schedule II prescription to 90 days.

E-prescribing – MPA is monitoring H.B. 4937 which would require prescribers to transmit all prescriptions electronically.

Board of Pharmacy Administrative Rules – MPA will proactively suggest modifications to the Board of Pharmacy general rules. 

Health care reform – MPA supports public employee health care reform H.B. 5345.

Rescind sales tax on non-legend prescriptions – MPA encourages language to be enacted to change the definition in the state tax code for prescriptions to the same language as found in the Public Health Code, thus eliminating the sales tax on prescriptions dispensed for OTC medications.

Patient safety/decriminalization of certain patient medication errors – MPA supports the state adopting an alternative remediation program such that errors with no harm to the patient would not result in a permanent record of discipline for a licensee.

If you have questions on MPA’s legislative priorities or Pharmacy PAC, please contact Director of Governmental Affairs Greg Baran at (517) 377-0224.