76th House District
Committees
∙Southeastern Geauga County∙
∙Western Geauga County∙
∙Northern Portage County∙
∙Agriculture and Rural Development∙
∙Health and Aging∙
∙Insurance∙
∙State Government∙
Sarah LaTourette
State Representative
Sponsor Testimony: House Bill 421
House Health and Aging Committee
January 27, 2016
Chairwoman Gonzales, Vice-chair Huffman and Ranking Member Antonio, thank
you for allowing me the opportunity to testify on House Bill 421 which, when
enacted, will grant appropriately trained pharmacists the ability to administer
certain injectable prescribed drugs. This authorization is limited to three of the
most important and pressing health issues in Ohio: severe mental illness, substance
abuse, and infant mortality. This bill does not give prescriptive authority to
pharmacists or change the manner in which these drugs are prescribed.
This bill is narrowly tailored to address specific injectable medications, including
certain opioid antagonists, antipsychotics, and designated prenatal treatments for
pregnant women at high risk of complications. Additionally, this legislation allows
the pharmacist to administer epinephrine or diphenhydramine in the event that the
patient has an adverse reaction to the drugs that the pharmacist has administered.
An Ohioan’s ability to access these often life-saving treatments frequently depends
on their geographic location and mobility, making the expanded administration
authorization offered by this legislation vital to the health and well-being of many
across our state. Far too many patients have to travel long distances to see
psychiatrists and substance abuse treatment providers currently authorized to
administer these treatments, whereas most people in the state of Ohio live within
five miles of a pharmacy. Therefore, allowing appropriately trained pharmacists to
administer these prescribed injectable medications will go a long way towards
eliminating barriers to care and ensuring equal access to quality healthcare for
Ohioans.
77 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215-6111
Phone: (614)644-5088
Email: Rep76@ohiohouse.gov
Presently, twenty-three other states permit pharmacists to administer properly
prescribed injectable drugs to patients. Again, this bill does not expand
prescriptive authority nor authorize pharmacists to prescribe these particular
medications.
This legislation requires authorized pharmacists to successfully complete a
certification course in the administration of these drugs approved by the State
Board of Pharmacy. Additionally, they must maintain a certificate for the
performance of basic life-support training by the American Red Cross or the
American Heart Association. The approved pharmacists will also be required to
report to the health professional that prescribed the drug, so that the prescriber is
aware of the patient following through with necessary treatment.
I am confident that this legislation will fill an unmet need by increasing the number
of injection treatment site options for patients being treated in these areas, and
therefore will increase the likelihood of successful treatment for these three
targeted healthcare crises in our state. Successful treatment in the areas of mental
health, addiction, and infant mortality will only have a positive impact on Ohio
families and contribute to the reduction of potential societal and financial costs of
inadequate care for these important health crises.
Again, thank you to the committee for the opportunity to offer sponsor testimony
on House Bill 421. I welcome any questions that the committee may have at this
time.