BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1841
Page 1
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 1841 (Mullin)
As Amended June 2, 2014
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |76-0 |(May 19, 2014) |SENATE: |35-0 |(August 11, |
| | | | | |2014) |
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Original Committee Reference: B., P. & C.P.
SUMMARY : Clarifies that medical assistants (MAs) may hand out
properly labeled and prepackaged prescription drugs to patients
as part of their existing authorization to provide "technical
supportive services."
The Senate amendments :
1)Permit MAs to hand out prescription drugs in the following
non-state operated facilities licensed by the Board of
Pharmacy:
a) A nonprofit community clinic or free clinic as
specified,
b) A primary care clinic owned or operated by a county;
c) A clinic operated by a federally recognized Indian tribe
or tribal organization;
d) A clinic operated by a primary care community or free
clinic, operated on separate premises from a licensed
clinic, and that is open no more than 20 hours per week;
e) A student health center clinic operated by a public
institution of higher education;
f) A nonprofit multispecialty clinic; or,
g) A surgical clinic.
2)Require that a licensed physician and surgeon, a licensed
podiatrist, a physician assistant, a nurse practitioner, or a
certified nurse-midwife provide the appropriate patient
AB 1841
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consultation regarding use of the drug.
FISCAL EFFECT : None. This bill is keyed non-fiscal by the
Legislative Counsel.
COMMENTS :
1)This bill clarifies that MAs may hand out properly labeled and
prepackaged prescription drugs to patients as part of their
existing scope of practice under "technical supportive
services" in certain non-state operated clinics. This bill is
sponsored by Planned Parenthood.
2)According to the author's office, "Providing MAs this
authority will help reduce waiting times, expand access, and
improve patient care and satisfaction in community clinics,
including Planned Parenthoods. Allowing an MA to hand over
medication and provide follow up instruction will ensure that
a patient has received counseling on their medication twice
and will provide them an additional opportunity to ask
questions. This will also free up the clinician, allowing
them to spend more time with the patient answering questions
because they are not rushing to perform additional duties."
3)MAs are unlicensed, but certificated, individuals. An MA must
have a high school diploma or general educational development
(GED) equivalent and take a certificate course at an approved
school. The exact duration of these programs vary, but San
Francisco State University, for example, requires 140
classroom hours and a clinical externship. MAs also must
complete a minimum of 60 hours of continuing education over
five years.
An MA may perform the following specific functions as part of
"technical supportive" services in addition to administrative
functions:
a) Administer medication orally, sublingually, topically,
vaginally or rectally, or by providing a single dose to a
patient for immediate self-administration;
b) Administer medication by inhalation if the medications
are patient-specific and have been or will be routinely and
repetitively administered to that patient;
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c) Perform electrocardiogram, electroencephalogram, or
plethysmography tests (used to measure changes in volume in
different parts of the body);
d) Apply and remove bandages and dressings;
e) Remove sutures or staples from superficial incisions or
lacerations;
f) Collect by non-invasive techniques and preserve
specimens for testing, including urine, sputum, semen, and
stool;
g) Prepare patients for and assist the physician,
podiatrist, physician assistant or registered nurse in
examinations or procedures including positioning, draping,
shaving and disinfecting treatment sites; and prepare a
patient for gait analysis testing;
h) As authorized by the physician or podiatrist, provide
patient information and instructions;
i) Collect and record patient data including height,
weight, temperature, pulse, respiration rate, and blood
pressure; and,
j) Perform simple laboratory and screening tests
customarily performed in a medical office.
This bill simply clarifies that MAs may hand out properly
labeled and prepackaged prescription drugs to patients as part
of "technical supportive services." Based on their current
abilities, this appears to be well within their scope of
practice. This bill limits the practice settings in which MAs
may do this to non-state operated clinics.
This clarification is consistent with the work of similarly
unlicensed "pharmacy clerks" or "pharmacy assistants." This is
a traditional title used in the pharmacy industry and is
included under regulations for "ancillary personnel" in pharmacy
regulations. A pharmacy clerk may also perform various
"non-discretionary" tasks that do not require the abilities and
authorities of either a pharmacist or a Licensed Pharmacy
Technician.
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These unlicensed individuals work in a pharmacy under the
supervision of a pharmacist and cannot "dispense" prescriptions
as that term is understood in current law, but they can "hand"
the patient filled prescriptions that have been approved by a
pharmacist for dispensing.
Analysis Prepared by : Sarah Huchel / B., P. & C.P. / (916)
319-3301
FN: 0004294