Pharmacists urge removal of Section 17 from S.2, say it would strip professional judgment and risk patient safety

Brian Clark, chief executive officer of the South Carolina Pharmacy Association, and practicing pharmacists told the Senate Medical Affairs subcommittee that Section 17 of S.2 would unduly restrict pharmacists' professional judgment and could endanger patients.

Clark testified that while the association is neutral on S.2 overall, it “must express strong opposition to section 17.” He said the provision would “severely restrict a pharmacist's ability to exercise professional judgment by limiting their ability to refuse to fill a prescription except under narrowly defined circumstances.” Clark described pharmacists as “the last line of defense in ensuring patient safety,” outlining routine checks for drug interactions, contraindications and…