Proponent Testimony, HB 188
Chairwoman Gonzales, Vice Chair Huffman, Ranking Member Antonio, and Members of the Health
and Human Services Committee, thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony today on HB 188,
the Pharmacy Consult Bill.
I will briefly explain why this bill could be helpful to physicians and pharmacists across the state of
Ohio.
My name is Dan Sullivan, and I am a physician in Cleveland Clinic’s Internal Medicine Department. I am
also Chair of the Ohio American College of Physicians Health and Public Policy Committee.
As you know, Healthcare delivery is evolving from a fee-for-service episodic care paradigm to a more
global or population health management model. Cleveland Clinic has been proud to be a leader in this
changing world, where team-based care is delivered, resulting in not only individuals practicing at the
top of their scope, but also in better outcomes for our patients.
In order to serve patients effectively now and in the future, it is important for physicians to practice in
a collaborative practice model. This multi-disciplinary care team model includes physicians,
pharmacists, dietitians, case managers, physician’s assistants, nurses and nurse practitioners.
Effective care allows all disciplines to practice at the “top of their license.” Physicians must serve as
the leader of these professionals, guiding a team of experts in our clinics.
Managing medications can be challenging. That is why a pharmacist is a key part of this team. At
Cleveland Clinic, our pharmacists are clinically trained to help people manage chronic conditions such
as high blood pressure, diabetes and congestive heart failure. They work closely with our doctors and
healthcare team to help patients meet their treatment goals.
House Bill 188 will allow us to build upon this work by allowing us to better leverage the unique
knowledge and expertise of the pharmacist to help address and treat these chronic diseases, and will
better allow us to use our pharmacists in our primary care and medical clinics.
Allowing pharmacists, under a collaborative practice agreement, to add, subtract and modify
medications for patients will make our offices more efficient, increase our ability to see more patients
and ultimately help decrease healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes.
As a physician who sees patients and believes in a multi-disciplinary care model, I strongly support HB
188. I would be happy to take any questions.
Daniel Sullivan, MD
Medical Director
Cleveland Clinic Solon Family Health Center
Mail Code S030
29800 Bainbridge Road
Solon, OH 44139