NACDS hails Indiana law, saying it expands access to pharmacy-based care

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores today hailed the enactment of House Bill 1468. The legislation, led by State Rep. Steven Davisson, maximizes critical and convenient access to the quality care provided by pharmacies and pharmacists. The measure was signed into law by Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb.

Among other provisions, the legislation does the following:

• Increases the pharmacy technician-to-pharmacist ratio from 6:1 to up to 8:1 – a move which empowers pharmacists to deploy more optimized care models that consider the specific needs of the patient population served. Such models improve patient care by leveraging the skills of pharmacy technicians and focusing pharmacist time on interventions requiring their clinical expertise;
• Allows pharmacy technicians to work remotely for certain non-dispensing duties, including data entry and insurance processing. This supports, for example, a no-touch pandemic environment and physical distancing as recommended during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, it helps enable more flexible and innovative workflow models to support patient care and safety;
• Expands patients’ access to critical immunizations by permitting pharmacists, pharmacy students and pharmacy technicians to administer an influenza or COVID-19 vaccine pursuant to a prescription, protocol or standing order (in addition to the 11 other vaccination categories listed in the statute);
• Expands therapeutic substitution under physician-established protocols – which helps improve patient access to essential medications by allowing pharmacists to initiate therapeutic alternatives when the originally prescribed medication is less available;
• Removes the requirement for shared record-keeping systems for pharmacists who engage in a collaborative practice agreement – which advances expanded clinical care by pharmacists who may not have access to such systems.

“NACDS thanks Governor Holcomb, State Representative Steven Davisson and the Indiana General Assembly for advancing critical legislation which will help pharmacies and pharmacy staff more efficiently and effectively meet patients’ health and wellness needs,” said NACDS president and CEO Steve Anderson. “Allowing highly trained pharmacists to practice at the top of their education will go a long way in helping to ensure that patients throughout Indiana maintain access to the quality and convenient healthcare services they deserve. Nearly 1,000 member pharmacies are located throughout the State of Indiana – and each has played a vital role in serving individuals and communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.”

NACDS thanks Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb; the Indiana Pharmacists Association; State Rep. Steven Davisson; State Rep. Edward Clere; State Rep. Bradford Barrett; State Rep. Rita Fleming; State Sen. Michael Crider; State Sen. Ed Charbonneau; State Sen. Vaneta Becker; State Sen. Ronald Grooms; State Sen. Jon Ford; and State Sen. Lonnie Randolph for supporting this crucial legislation.