BILL ANALYSIS �
SB 1039
Page 1
Date of Hearing: August 6, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
SB 1039 (Hernandez) - As Amended: August 4, 2014
Policy Committee: HealthVote:17-0
Business and Professions Vote: 14-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
Yes Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY
This bill makes minor updates to various pharmacy-related
statutes. Specifically, key provisions of this bill:
1)Allow the delegation of additional routine, non-discretionary
tasks to pharmacy technicians (PTs) and intern pharmacists
working in hospitals.
2)Clarify a pharmacist is responsible for duties performed under
his or her supervision by a technician.
3)Allow hospital pharmacies to furnish drugs and devices
pursuant to standing orders, order sets, and protocols; and to
the emergency medical services system of a hospital.
4)Establish drug storage and inspection requirements for
hospital pharmacies, and specifies personnel responsible for
these tasks.
FISCAL EFFECT
Potential oversight and enforcement costs to the Board of
Pharmacy, not likely to exceed $100,000 per year (Pharmacy Board
Contingent Fund).
COMMENTS
1)Purpose . According to the author, this bill allows health
facilities to make more efficient use of pharmacy personnel by
expanding the types of tasks that pharmacy technicians and
interns are permitted to perform, freeing up pharmacists to
SB 1039
Page 2
focus on patient care. In addition, it updates requirements
to align more closely with the current regulatory environment
for personnel and facilities. The sponsors of this bill,
California Society of Health-System Pharmacists, contend
existing regulations require pharmacists to perform menial and
administrative tasks. They indicate some regulatory
provisions predate the creation of a licensed pharmacy
technician workforce.
2)Prior Legislation . SB 493 (Hern�ndez) Chapter 469, Statutes of
2013, updated the Pharmacy Law to authorize pharmacists to
perform certain functions and established advanced practice
recognition.
Analysis Prepared by : Lisa Murawski / APPR. / (916) 319-2081