Senate passes wide-ranging pharmacy-practice bill after technical amendments

Senate Bill 114 — described on the floor as a major overhaul of the Pharmacy Practice Act — passed the Utah Senate on Feb. 23 after sponsors offered and won a series of technical amendments.

Sen. Knudson, the sponsor, explained the bill clarifies the definition of "out-of-state mail service pharmacy" to mean a pharmacy licensed and in good standing in another state and codifies that out‑of‑state pharmacies must follow the laws and regulations of the state in which they are licensed. The bill also clarifies that pharmacy benefits managers may be individuals or entities, addresses HMO limits on reimbursable pharmacies and prohibits internet-based prescribing for medicines (including non‑controlled drugs) unless the physician is licensed in Utah and approved by the relevant licensing boards.

Knudson described amendments that refine the definition of final order, require notification to the Pharmacy Board when an out‑of‑state pharmacy loses its license in its home state, and tighten HMO and mail‑order pharmacy provisions. Senators asked detailed questions about a floor amendment concerning third‑party payers and whether provisions belonged in professional‑licensing code or insurance code; the sponsor explained the language clarified the role and limits of HMOs and mail‑order pharmacy arrangements as they relate to professional licensing.

Technical amending language (including insertion of the phrase "in good standing" into the out‑of‑state pharmacy definition) was adopted on the floor. After roll call, the Senate recorded 26 aye votes and no nays; the bill will be referred to the House for further consideration.

Outcome: SB 114 passed the Senate 26–0 after sponsor-led technical amendments. Sponsors noted the bill narrows internet prescribing and clarifies HMO reimbursement rules and out‑of‑state pharmacy oversight.