Arizona State Legislative Bills in Process

Last Updated: 01/16/07

H2155: PRESCRIPTIONS; EMERGENCIES
http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/48leg/1r/bills/hb2155p.pdf
During an emergency declared by the Governor, a county or municipality, the Board of Pharmacy must help ensure the public can obtain drugs, medical devices, and professional services.

H2255: PHARMACIES; QUALITY ASSURANCE
http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/48leg/1r/bills/hb2255p.pdf
Requires pharmacies, as prescribed by board rules, to implement and participate in a continuous quality assurance program targeting medication errors and documenting compliance and provisions, with program results remaining confidential unless needed for a disciplinary action or criminal investigation. The program ends 07/01/2017.

H2256: AHCCCS; MEDICATION THERAPY MANAGEMENT
http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/48leg/1r/bills/hb2256p.pdf
Subject to the availability of funds, AHCCCS is directed to contract for medication therapy management services for its members by a licensed pharmacist to assess health status, formulate a medical treatment plan, monitor therapeutic response and safety, provide verbal education and information on medications, perform a comprehensive medical review, document care, and relay information to PCPs. Individual pharmacists are enrolled for reimbursement. Pharmacists must have formal education or have a drug therapy management agreement, have access to an electronic health records system, and practice in an ambulatory care multidisciplinary team, in an area isolated from commercial business, a College of Pharmacy management call center, or state board approved sites. The administration sets requirements such as contacts and the number of reimbursable consultations. The program ends 07/01/2017.

H2438: CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES; MONITORING PROGRAM
http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/48leg/1r/bills/hb2438p.pdf
Prescribers must now register. A professional regulatory board and the ASBP are not required to register. The board or its designee may inspect a registrant or applicant if concern exists for an on-site inspection.

Schedule II substances are to be dispensed within 90 days of the written date, rather than 60 days. The word ‘narcotic’ has been removed after ‘schedule II’ in a couple places.
Establishes a controlled substances prescription monitoring program within the State Board of Pharmacy to track prescribing, dispensing, and consumption of controlled substances. Pharmacies and all dispensing entities must record all information as is currently done (prescriber, patient, and drug information) and submit not less than once weekly; paper recording and transmission require board approval. Exceptions to reporting include direct administration, 72 hour supply adequate to treat the condition, samples, wholesale distribution, and narcotic treatment programs. There must be a computerized database (version 003, release 000), law enforcement assistance, and legal information communication to all that will handle the medications. Contracts will be established as well as a task force to ensure effectiveness and tracking. Also establishes a fund to maintain the program. All pharmacies and medical practitioners must register and pay an annual fee of ≤ $50.00 (replacement fee ≤ $15.00). The state board is in charge of disciplinary action which includes class II misdemeanor for failure to report, class I misdemeanor for knowingly failing to report, and class 6 felony for reporting falsely or inconsistently. The program ends 07/01/2017.