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Committee approves adding pharmacy technician seat to Idaho Board of Pharmacy
Summary
The House Health and Welfare Committee voted to send House Bill 286 to the House with a due-pass recommendation. The bill adds a pharmacy technician to the Board of Pharmacy and adjusts pharmacist membership to maintain an odd-numbered board.
The Idaho House Health and Welfare Committee voted to send House Bill 286 to the full House with a due-pass recommendation. Representative Ann (last name Healy in the transcript identified as "Representative Healy"), R-District 15, introduced the bill, saying it adds a pharmacy technician to the Idaho Board of Pharmacy and adjusts pharmacist membership so the board retains an odd number of voting members.
Supporters who testified included Pam Eaton of the Idaho Retailers Association and representatives of pharmacy professions. Eaton said the measure was supported by the retail pharmacy council and the Idaho State Pharmacy Association. Pharmacist Stephanie Croto (transcript spelling) told the committee that pharmacy technicians have “first hand experience with medication handling, inventory management and the implementation of new technologies” and argued those operational perspectives would enhance the board’s regulatory discussions. Charlene Harper, identified as a practicing pharmacy technician and the pharmacy technician representative for the Idaho Society of Health System Pharmacy, described the evolution of the technician role and urged passage.
Representative Kaler said he would vote no, citing concern about growing government and a fiscal note attached to the bill. Representative Rasier also stated he would vote no, saying the board could have retained its size by reducing one licensed pharmacist rather than increasing total membership. Representative Wheeler moved to send HB 286 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation; the committee approved the motion. The transcript records that four committee members voted no; the chair recorded an affirmative vote and the motion passed.
Committee testimony otherwise was uniformly supportive from pharmacy-affiliated witnesses; no amendments were recorded in the hearing. The bill’s fiscal note was referenced by Representative Kaler but the transcript did not specify the dollar amount.
