SB 147-PHARMACIST PRESCRIPTION AUTHORITY  1:32:44 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 147 "An Act relating to the prescription and administration of drugs and devices by pharmacists; relating to reciprocity for pharmacists; and providing for an effective date." 1:32:58 PM SENATOR CATHY GIESSEL, District E, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, as sponsor of SB 147, stated that the bill expands healthcare access by allowing qualified pharmacists to test and treat common illnesses such as the flu, colds, UTIs, and strep throat, and to perform pregnancy tests. The authority has already been granted in 30 other states. 1:33:59 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN solicited a motion. 1:34:01 PM SENATOR MERRICK moved to adopt the committee substitute (CS) for SB 147 work order 34-LS0274\G, as the working document. 1:34:12 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN objected for purposes of discussion. 1:34:22 PM KONRAD JACKSON, Staff, Senator Jesse Bjorkman, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, provided changes for version I to version G of SB 147. He stated that the committee substitute adds language in Section 6, page 5, paragraphs 11 and 12, clarifying that "patient care services" do not include prescribing an abortion-inducing drug. 1:35:04 PM SENATOR DUNBAR stated that while the language added to SB 147 may raise constitutional concerns similar to those previously identified, the bill maintains the status quo. He said pharmacists still cannot prescribe abortion inducing drugs. Despite reservations, he supports SB 147 and will not object. 1:36:33 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN stated that the changes in the proposed CS of expanding prescriptive authority for pharmacists does not permit them to prescribe abortion-inducing drugs. 1:36:49 PM SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON stated that amending the prescriptive authority of pharmacists does not prevent patients from obtaining abortion-inducing prescriptions through their doctors. 1:37:21 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN removed his objection. 1:37:25 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN found no further objection and CSSB 147 was adopted as the working document. 1:37:34 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN opened public testimony on SB 147. 1:38:08 PM DANIEL NELSON, Director, Pharmacy, Tanana Chief Conference (TCC), Fairbanks, Alaska, testified in support of SB 147. TCC endorses expanding pharmacist-provided care to address Alaska's healthcare workforce shortage. He said SB 147 will allow more than 500 highly trained pharmacists to use their full expertise to improve access, community health, and safety statewide. 1:39:38 PM LINDA GUTIERREZ-MILLER, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SB 147. She explained that the bill would enhance collaborative practice agreements, allowing pharmacists to prescribe controlled substances and improve access to care. Pharmacists spend more time with patients, support physicians in managing chronic conditions, and improve health outcomes, making SB 147 beneficial for both providers and patients in Alaska. 1:41:37 PM NICOLE THOMAS, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in opposition to SB 147. She argued that allowing pharmacists to prescribe medications could endanger patient safety due to limited time for thorough assessments and lack of continuity of care. She emphasized that healthcare relies on a layered system, doctors, pharmacists, and nurses each verifying one another's work and warned that bypassing this process is risky. 1:44:05 PM BOB BIRD, representing self, Kenai, Alaska, testified in support of SB 147. He said earlier comments were hard to hear and asked for confirmation that SB 147 was changed to prevent pharmacists from prescribing abortion pills. 1:44:46 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN replied that his understanding was correct, the change occurred just before the hearing. MR BIRD asked who introduced the amendment to change pharmacists prescriptive authority of abortion pills. CHAIR BJORKMAN answered it was introduced by the Chairman of the committee. MR. BIRD stated that he needed more clarification before he could testify. CHAIR BJORKMAN answered that the changes made to SB 147 clarified pharmacist would not be able to prescribe abortion inducing drugs. MR. BIRD sought confirmation that pharmacists cannot independently provide abortion-inducing drugs upon request. CHAIR BJORKMAN replied yes. MR. BIRD responded that he is thankful for the change. 1:46:26 PM AMITY WINBORG, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SB 147. She stated that the bill would allow pharmacists to play a greater role in managing chronic diseases and supporting patient care. Pharmacists already collaborate closely with physicians and other providers to adjust medications, prevent side effects, and consider prescription affordability. She said expanding their authority would improve access to care, particularly in underserved areas, and help patients receive more comprehensive and timely treatment. 1:48:13 PM BARRY CHRISTENSEN, Owner, Island Pharmacy, Ketchikan, Alaska, testified in support of SB 147. He emphasized that pharmacy practice in Alaska has evolved significantly over 40 years and that SB 147 represents a positive step forward for the future of healthcare in the state. 1:50:04 PM STEVEN PEARCE, Director, Citizens Commission on Human Rights, Seattle, Washington, testified in opposition to SB 147. He argued that allowing pharmacists to prescribe psychiatric medications could increase reliance on these drugs without addressing underlying issues. He noted the lack of objective tests in psychiatry and suggested SB 147 be amended to restrict pharmacist prescribing. 1:51:34 PM AIMEE YOUNG, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SB 147. She described creating a walk-in pharmacy immunization clinic in 2006 to expand vaccine access and improve rates. She specialized in pain management, collaborating with healthcare teams to provide non-opioid care and reduce opioid use. She emphasized that pharmacists are highly accessible medication experts, and SB 147 enables them to work at the top of their training and scope of practice. 1:53:22 PM DAN HARTMAN, Service Line Medical Director, Southcentral Foundation, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SB 147. He said the bill allows pharmacists to practice at the full scope of their training, leveraging their doctoral education and clinical experience. SB 147 increases access to care, enables pharmacists to provide patient-care services under collaborative agreements, supports workforce expansion, and includes safeguards for prescribing opioids. 1:55:45 PM BRITTANY KARNS, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified in support of SB 147. She emphasized that, like other healthcare professionals, pharmacists have a defined scope of practice and seek only to work within it. She said pharmacists are cautious, trusted providers who carefully monitor prescriptions and aim to reduce unnecessary medication. SB 147 would allow pharmacists help address Alaska's healthcare access challenges in appropriate clinical settings without compromising safety or care quality. 1:58:11 PM PAMELA SAMASH, representing self, Nenana, Alaska, testified in support of SB 147. She clarified she no longer wished to speak on behalf of Right to Life and thanked legislators for amending the portion of SB 147 that would not have protected women in villages from abortion drugs and related health risks. She urged consideration of safeguards regarding psychiatric drug prescriptions. 1:59:35 PM PAUL ZANTO, Pharmacy Manager, Fred Meyer, Wasilla, Alaska, testified in support of SB 147. He highlighted that the bill would expand pharmacists' authority to provide care, including prescribing medications within their training, improving access for all Alaskans. He emphasized pharmacists' extensive education, community relationships, and the alignment of the bill with nationwide standards, and expressed strong support for its passage. 2:01:59 PM PAT MARTIN, Executive Director, Alaska Right to Life, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in opposition to SB 147. He argued that even with amendments limiting pharmacists' ability to prescribe abortion-inducing drugs SB 147 still allows pharmacists to dispense them with a prescription, expanding abortion access through pharmacies and rural clinics. 2:04:19 PM BALLARD SAUL, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SB 147. She highlighted that her extensive education and training allows her to optimize medication use, improve patient outcomes, and reduce hospitalizations. Passing SB 147 would enable pharmacists to practice fully within their expertise, enhancing care for all Alaskans. 2:07:07 PM DOROTHY DEBLAUW, representing self, Healy, Alaska, testified in opposition to SB 147. She argued that the bill gives pharmacists too much power, particularly regarding abortion, and called for safeguards to protect pharmacists' conscience and ethical choices. 2:08:44 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN closed public testimony on SB 147. 2:08:59 PM SENATOR YUNDT asked for clarification on whether pharmacists would be allowed to prescribe psychiatric drugs in pharmacies. 2:09:28 PM BRANDY SEIGNEMARTIN, Executive Director, Alaska Pharmacist Association, Anchorage, Alaska, answered questions on SB 147. She clarified that existing laws already limited pharmacists' care services to general health, wellness, and minor conditions guided by clear diagnostic tests. She said only specially trained pharmacists, such as board-certified psychiatric pharmacists working collaboratively with other providers, could engage in psychiatric care, not those in general pharmacy settings. 2:10:46 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN asked how pharmacists' ability to handle abortion inducing medication was amended in the CS for SB 147. 2:11:00 PM MS. SEIGNNEMARTIN replied that SB 147 does not address or expand pharmacists' drug dispensing functions. SB 147 focuses solely on patient care services outside dispensing. 2:11:54 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN solicited the will of the committee. 2:11:58 PM SENATOR MERRICK moved to report CSSB 147, work order 34- LS0274\G, from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). 2:12:16 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN found no objection and CSSB 147(L&C) was reported from the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.