BILL ANALYSIS Ó
Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary
Senator Kevin de León, Chair
SB 493 (Hernandez) - Pharmacy practice.
Amended: April 24, 2013 Policy Vote: B&P 9-0
Urgency: No Mandate: Yes
Hearing Date: May 13, 2013 Consultant: Brendan McCarthy
This bill meets the criteria for referral to the Suspense File.
Bill Summary: SB 493 would expand the scope of practice of
pharmacists, by authorizing pharmacists to administer certain
medications and furnish immunizations, hormonal contraceptives
and certain other drugs. The bill would establish advance
practice pharmacist recognition and allow such pharmacists to
perform specified activities.
Fiscal Impact:
One-time costs of about $200,000 to adopt new regulations
and upgrade the existing system for processing license
applications (Pharmacy Board Contingent Fund).
Ongoing costs of about $300,000 per year for licensing and
enforcement (Pharmacy Board Contingent Fund).
Background: Under current law, pharmacists are licensed and
regulated by the Board of Pharmacy. Current law authorizes
pharmacists to perform certain health care functions, such as
dispensing medications upon the prescription of a physician and
administer immunizations pursuant to a protocol with a
prescriber (such as a physician). In addition, pharmacists may
take certain actions, under protocols authorized by a physician,
such as ordering tests and administering drugs.
Proposed Law: SB 493 would expand the scope of practice of
pharmacists.
Specifically, the bill would authorize pharmacists to:
Furnish self-administered hormonal contraceptives, in
accordance with procedures developed by the Board of
Pharmacy and the California Medical Board;
Furnish smoking cessation drugs and drugs recommended for
people travelling outside the United States;
SB 493 (Hernandez)
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Order and interpret tests for the purpose of managing drug
therapies;
Administer certain vaccines.
The bill would establish advance practice pharmacist
recognition, with specified licensing and training requirements.
The bill would authorize advance practice pharmacists to:
Perform patient assessments;
Order and interpret tests;
Refer patients to other providers;
Initiate, adjust, or discontinue drug therapy (similar to
authority already granted in law for pharmacists in licensed
health care facilities).
The bill requires the Board of Pharmacy to adopt regulations to
establish the means of documenting completion of the
requirements for advance practice pharmacy.
Related Legislation:
SB 352 (Pavley) authorizes certain medical professionals to
supervise medical assistants. That bill is in the Assembly.
SB 491 (Hernandez) would expand the scope of practice for
nurse practitioners. That bill will be heard in this
committee.
SB 492 (Hernandez) would authorize an optometrist to
diagnose and treat certain medical conditions. That bill
will be heard in this committee.
Staff Comments: The only costs that may be incurred by a local
agency relate to crimes and infractions. Such costs are not
reimbursable by the state under the California Constitution.