HB 112-PROFESSION OF PHARMACY  4:27:51 PM CHAIR PRAX announced that the final order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 112, "An Act relating to the Board of Pharmacy; relating to the practice of pharmacy; relating to pharmacies; relating to prescription drug manufacturers; relating to prescriptions for epinephrine; relating to the administration of epinephrine; and providing for an effective date." 4:28:10 PM REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE, as prime sponsor, explained that after a multiple-year process of examining regulatory updates, HB 112 would change the statute. At the request of the governor, he said that regulations had been reviewed, and areas that needed changes were found. 4:29:20 PM REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS reiterated that it would be helpful if work-based learning programs for pharmacy technicians allowed those under 18 years of age to work. He asked whether the Board of Pharmacy would need to update these regulations. REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE answered that current regulations for pharmacy technicians require the person to be 18 years of age and have a high school diploma. He continued that statute allows the Board of Pharmacy to control licensing regulations for pharmacy technicians. He said that other than having the board adjust the regulations, there would be no other barriers. 4:30:48 PM ASHLEY SCHABER, Pharm D, MBA, BCPS, NCPS, Board of Pharmacy, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, said that the changes requested would be regulatory; therefore, this would not require a change in statute. In response to a question from Representative Ruffridge, she answered that the board is already discussing the regulatory changes, as this would optimize the workforce by increasing pharmacy technician training. 4:32:18 PM CHAIR PRAX opened public testimony on HB 112. 4:32:43 PM DUANE WOOD, representing self, shared that he is a lifelong Alaskan, and a third-year pharmacy student who is working as a volunteer in rural emergency medicine on Prince of Wales Island. He said that he plans to work as a pharmacist in the state after he graduates. He explained that changes in the proposed bill would improve the ability of patients and the community to be served. He shared a personal story about a fatal allergy a friend had and how an EpiPen had saved the person's life. He pointed out that HB 112 would improve access to EpiPens by allowing pharmacists to prescribe them. He urged members to approve HB 112. 4:35:00 PM AMITY WINBORG, representing self, shared that she is a third- year pharmacy student in the joint doctorate pharmacy program at University of Alaska and Idaho State University. She said she has lived in Alaska for 20 years and has worked in both community and hospital pharmacies. She advised that HB 112 would positively impact patients. She explained that patient safety has been at the forefront of her pharmacy training, which has led to new health initiatives, like HB 112. She stated that creating a pharmacy technician seat on the Board of Pharmacy would ensure that multiple viewpoints are being represented. She explained that HB 112 would increase patient safety by ensuring that the board could regulate qualifications and entities. She reiterated that it would also increase patient access to EpiPens by allowing pharmacies to prescribe and dispense them. 4:37:29 PM BARRY CHRISTENSEN, RPh, Co-Chair, Legislative Committee, Alaska Pharmacist Association, shared that he has owned and operated Island Pharmacy for 49 years. He testified in support of HB 112 on behalf of the Alaska Pharmacist Association. 4:38:36 PM SCOTT WATTS, representing self, stated that he is a pharmacist and supports HB 112. He explained that, as a pharmacist for 33 years in Juneau, he can attest to the changes the profession has seen. He highlighted that the bill would add a pharmacy technician to the board and increase access to EpiPens. He added that the bill would also provide the power to the board to support the Drug Supply Chain and Security Act. 4:41:03 PM CHAIR PRAX, after ascertaining that there was no one else who wished to testify, closed public testimony. 4:42:12 PM REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE moved to report HB 112 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HB 112 was reported out of the House Health and Social Services Standing Committee.