03/22/2010 01:30 PM Senate FINANCE

SENATE BILL NO. 247                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of                                                                     
     Pharmacy; and providing for an effective date."                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
TIM   BENINTENDI,  STAFF,   SENATOR   OLSON,  reviewed   the                                                                    
legislation.  He noted  that the  Committee Substitute  (CS)                                                                    
for SB 247 would extend  the board of pharmacists until June                                                                    
30, 2018,  conforming to  the recommendation  of Legislative                                                                    
Budget &  Audit. He explained  that the original  version of                                                                    
the bill  had an extension  renewal date of 2015.  The board                                                                    
is composed  of seven members. The  fiscal note accommodates                                                                    
travel  for members  and two  staff for  a minimum  of three                                                                    
meetings  a year.  The audit  recommends  the board  approve                                                                    
collaborative protocols in  accordance with the regulations.                                                                    
The  audit relayed  that board  support from  the department                                                                    
could  be more  substantial.  The  final recommendation  was                                                                    
that the  governor makes more  timely appointments  with the                                                                    
board.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Stedman pointed  out one  fiscal note  showing the                                                                    
cost of $130 thousand for the continuation of the board.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:38:30 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
DIRK WHITE, MEMBER, BOARD  OF PHARMACY (via teleconference),                                                                    
discussed the  board's missions. He testified  in support of                                                                    
the  legislation. He  noted that  policies  have changed  to                                                                    
address the audit.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
PAT  DAVIDSON,  LEGISLATIVE  BUDGET &  AUDIT,  testified  in                                                                    
support of  the legislation.  She mentioned  the recommended                                                                    
changes. She  noted that the  board of pharmacy  received an                                                                    
appropriation of $500 thousand.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
1:42:10 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator Olson asked  how many licenses have  been revoked or                                                                    
suspended.  Ms. Davidson  reported that  during a  four year                                                                    
period the  board addressed 29  licensing actions,  36 cases                                                                    
closed due  to insufficient evidence, 28  licensees received                                                                    
an  advisement letter  or compliance  letter,  and 19  cases                                                                    
left open.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
SB  247  was  HEARD  and   HELD  in  Committee  for  further                                                                    
consideration.