Members of the West Virginia Pharmacists Association and students from the State’s three pharmacy schools will gather at the Capitol, Friday, February 2, to discuss legislative issues with their Senators and Delegates. “This annual event is always impressive, especially with students in their white coats, and pharmacists providing various health screenings to legislators and the public,” said Richard Stevens, Executive Director.
Proposed legislation of interest includes House Bill 4287, which prohibits pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from imposing certain contractual conditions with pharmacies and from posting logos of pharmacies on medical or prescription drug cards.
Senate Bill 1 mirrors federal law regarding partially filling of Schedule II prescriptions. It permits the remaining portion of any partially filled prescription to be filled within 30 days of the first partial fill. The bill permits the remaining portion to be filled no later than 72 hours after issuance of the prescription in emergency situations.
Senate Bill 2 establishes a voluntary non-opiate advance directive form and limits the quantity of opioids prescribed by physicians to seven days and three days by other practitioners.
Senate Bill 46 allows a pharmacist to inform a patient of the availability of lower cost alternative medications that have been prescribed for the patient, including but not being limited to biosimilars or generic drugs.
Senate Bill 219 limits prescribing Schedule II or IIIs prescriptions to seven days.
Senate Bill 149, Senate Bill 329 and House Bill 4254 limits the initial opioid prescription for acute paid to seven days.
Senate Bill 272 requires first responders to carry naloxone.
Senate Bill 273 requires prescribers to access the Board of Pharmacy Controlled Substance Monitoring Program before writing the prescription for a controlled substance. It also makes gabapentin a Schedule IV.
House Bill 4026 allows cashiers to be exempt from pharmacy technician registration.
Senate Bill 203 is a Board of Pharmacy rule allowing pharmacists and pharamcy interns to provide influenza and HPV vaccines to persons ages 11 to 18 with a prescription and parental consent.
Senate Bill 204 is another Board rule permitting to outsource prescriptions to a central pharmacy.
