H.2041, An Act Recognizing Pharmacists as Healthcare Providers
Sponsor: Representative Angelo Puppolo
According to the CDC, about half of all adults - 117 million people - have one or
more chronic health conditions. One of four adults has two or more chronic health
conditions. For those patients with complex medical conditions on multiple
medications, a pharmacist's clinical services can be invaluable.
Although an individual has the right to consult with a pharmacist free of charge,
many patients require and do not receive a comprehensive medication review and
the counseling to ensure that they are receiving the optimal medication therapy.
Incorrect dosing, preventable side effects, and polypharmacy, are some of the
many problems that lead to poor health outcomes and higher costs.
Currently, under a collaborative care agreements with a physician, a pharmacist
can manage a patient’s drug therapy. However, pharmacists are not compensated
for this service, and the pharmacist's most important skills - as the medication
expert - remains an untapped resource for patient care. This bill could bring about
the most important change in chronic disease management in decades.
Bill Summary
If passed into law this legislation would:
 Recognize registered pharmacists as healthcare providers in section 1 of
Chapter 111;
 Allow pharmacists to bill MassHealth and the plans offered by the Group
Insurance Commission for "drug therapy management services" to chronic
disease patients when acting under the authority of a signed Collaborative
Drug Therapy Management (CDTM) agreement with a physician;
 Amend the current CDTM law to eliminate the list of disease states eligible
for a CDTM agreement in a retail setting to allow pharmacists and
physicians to team up on any disease that the physician requests;
 Further amends the CDTM law to allow pharmacists to administer
medications ordered by a prescriber;
 Permit pharmacists to dispense nicotine replacement therapies and hormonal
contraceptives by protocols established jointly by the Boards of Medicine
and Pharmacy.