BILL NUMBER: S5304
SPONSOR: FERNANDEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to the definition of the
practice of pharmacy; and to repeal section 6801-a of the education law,
relating to the collaborative drug therapy management demonstration
program
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:,
This bill would redefine the practice of pharmacy in the State of New
York to more accurately reflect the education and training that pharma-
cists receive in pharmacy school.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the definition of the practice of pharmacy.
Section 2 repeals section 6801-a of the education law.
Section 3 sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
New York State's pharmacists are burdened with excessive regulations
that, for years, have held New York behind the rest of the nation in
scope of practice. The COVID-19 Pandemic has taught us that pharmacists
are an integral part of the healthcare community, and they deserve to be
unleashed. This legislation would streamline the scope of the profes-
sion, and allow pharmacists to interpret, evaluate, and dispense medica-
tion; participate in drug and drug device selection and administration;
and counsel patients. Additionally, pharmacists have the responsibility
for the compounding and labeling of drugs and devices, the proper and
safe storage of drugs and devices. Finally, a pharmacist's professional
judgment will be relied upon for the prescribing of drugs, drug catego-
ries or devices where the conditions do not require a new diagnosis, are
minor and self-limiting, and are waived tests under the federal clinical
laboratory improvement amendments of 1988.
By eliminating the overly restrictive definition of the practice of
pharmacy, New York's pharmacists will be empowered to practice at the
top of their license.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-2022: A10396
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
TBD
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:;
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S5304: 6801-a education law