Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Pharmacist Prescribing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee advances limited pharmacist‑prescribing bill out of Senate Health and Social Services
Summary
The committee moved CS for SB 147 from committee without objection. The measure would authorize pharmacists to independently prescribe medications and devices for minor illnesses, chronic disease management, and preventive care within their education limits and expressly does not authorize pharmacists to prescribe abortion‑inducing drugs.
Senate Health and Social Services advanced Senate Bill 147 out of committee April 20 by unanimous consent, sending the committee substitute (CS) to the next step with individual recommendations and an attached fiscal note.
Senator Giesel, cosponsor of the bill, described SB 147 as a limited, scope‑specific reform that would authorize pharmacists to independently prescribe medications and devices related to minor illnesses, chronic‑disease management and preventive care "all within the limits of their education." Senator Giesel emphasized what the bill does not permit: it does not expand authority beyond pharmacists’ training nor permit pharmacists to prescribe abortion‑inducing medications, noting current state law (AS 18.16.010) already prohibits such prescribing.
Dr. Brandy Signamardin, appearing online as the executive director of the Alaska Pharmacy Association, was available for questions. After questions and a brief discussion, a committee member moved the CS from committee "with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note." No committee member objected; Chair Dunbar directed members to remain after the hearing to sign the committee report.
Action: The committee motion to move CS for SB 147 from committee passed by voice/consent with no objections recorded. The motion text and the committee record indicate the measure will proceed to further Senate process with the committee’s recommendations and fiscal note attached.
Next steps: The committee announced future hearings and administrative items; SB 147 will continue through the legislative process with the CS and fiscal documentation attached.
