State Rep. Tyler Sirois Proposed Bill Expanding Pharmacist Services Headed to the Governor
By Space Coast Daily // March 13, 2020
If the bill is approved by the Governor it will become effective on July 1, 2020
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Representative Tyler Sirois moved the final passage of House Bill 389, authorizing pharmacists to test and treat Floridians for flu, strep throat, minor infections and other non-chronic conditions.
The legislation was a top priority for Representative Sirois and Speaker Jose Oliva. Senator Travis Hutson (R – St. Augustine) is the sponsor of the companion legislation in the Florida Senate.
The bill allows a pharmacist acting under a written agreement with a supervising physician to test and treat individuals for minor, non-chronic conditions and uncomplicated infections.
Under the bill, pharmacists are required to advise patients to follow-up with a primary care physician when receiving services and observe other procedures developed by the Board of Pharmacy in consultation with the Florida Board of Medicine.
Physicians may also enter into individual collaborative practice agreements so pharmacists may provide specific services to specific patients, such as evaluating drug therapy and monitoring treatments.
The bill is intended to reduce the demands on physician offices by delegating some functions to a pharmacist. Participation by pharmacists, physicians, and patients is voluntary.
“Florida is aging and the demands on our healthcare system are growing each day. The future of healthcare will be found in the marketplace, where competition drives innovation and entrepreneurship,” explained Sirois.
Related Story:Florida House Unanimously Passes Military Education Bill Sponsored by Rep. Tyler Sirois
“This bill is about giving patients more choices. This bill will reduce costs,” Representative Sirois said in debate on the House Floor.
“When the countdown to launch is unrelenting and the fever and chills are unmistakable, this bill will allow an aerospace technician to stop at his or her pharmacy on the way home for a flu test and leave with a prescription.”
Under current Florida law, a flu patient’s options are limited to seeing their physician, going to an urgent care, or the emergency room.
“The flu is very serious and this legislation will provide Floridians without insurance, or who cannot afford urgent care or emergency services, with a treatment option that is affordable,” said Sirois.
“With all that is going on in the world, now is the time to normalize our pharmacists as a point of contact for folks to receive care.”
If the bill is approved by the Governor it will become effective on July 1, 2020.
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