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Bill > SF117

IA SF117

A bill for an act relating to the prescribing, ordering, dispensing, and administering authority of pharmacists and practitioners.(See SF 313.)

summary

Introduced
01/23/2025
In Committee
01/23/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

91st General Assembly

Bill Summary

This bill relates to the prescribing, ordering, dispensing, and administering authority of practitioners and pharmacists. The bill prohibits the board of pharmacy and any health-related professional board under Code chapter 147 (general provisions, health-related professions) (boards) that license a pharmacist or practitioner and any employer of a pharmacist or practitioner from restricting the prescribing, ordering, dispensing, or administering authority of a pharmacist or practitioner, consistent with the pharmacist’s or practitioner’s scope of practice, in a way that acts as a deterrent for the pharmacist or practitioner to use a medication or treatment in accordance with the pharmacist’s or practitioner’s best professional judgment. The bill also provides that any restriction by an employer of a pharmacist or practitioner that is prohibited under the bill, whether or not documented by the employer as part of a contract, agreement, or employee handbook, by an amendment to any such document, or by any other means, is unenforceable and shall not be the basis for any disciplinary action by the employer. The bill also provides that a pharmacist or practitioner who uses a medication or treatment in accordance with the pharmacist’s or practitioner’s best professional judgment and consistent with the pharmacist’s or practitioner’s scope of practice under the bill, shall not be subject to licensee discipline. Code section 155A.3 defines “pharmacist” as a person licensed by the board of pharmacy to practice pharmacy; and “practitioner” as a physician, dentist, podiatric physician, prescribing psychologist, veterinarian, optometrist, physician assistant, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or other person licensed or registered to prescribe, distribute, or dispense a prescription drug or device in the course of professional practice in this state or a person licensed by another state in a health field in which, under Iowa law, licensees in this state may legally prescribe drugs.

AI Summary

This bill establishes new protections for pharmacists and practitioners (which includes physicians, dentists, nurses, physician assistants, and other licensed healthcare professionals) by prohibiting professional boards and employers from restricting their prescribing, ordering, dispensing, and administering authority in ways that would discourage them from using medications or treatments based on their best professional judgment. Specifically, the bill prevents any restrictions, whether written in contracts, employee handbooks, or through other means, that would act as a deterrent to healthcare professionals using medications consistent with their professional training and scope of practice. The legislation ensures that such restrictions are unenforceable and cannot be used as a basis for employer disciplinary action. Furthermore, the bill protects pharmacists and practitioners from professional licensure discipline when they prescribe or administer treatments in alignment with their professional judgment and established scope of practice, thereby giving healthcare professionals more autonomy in making medical decisions for their patients.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (11)

Last Action

Committee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 313. S.J. 271. (on 02/13/2025)
(1 Companion Bills)

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