Washington State News: Board Reports 2011 Legislative Updates

April 22, 2011 10:53 am

Excerpted from the April 2011 Washington State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter

The following bills regarding pharmacy technicians, crimes against pharmacies, and a medicine stewardship program are being considered by the Washington State Legislature. Additional bills in process are listed in the Washington State Board of Pharmacy’s April 2011 Newsletter. Updates regarding these bills and others can be found on the Washington State Legislature Web page.
HB 1353 Pharmacy Technicians: Certified pharmacy technicians must complete continuing education requirements established by the Board of Pharmacy.
2SHB 1507 Crimes Against Pharmacies: A person is guilty of robbery in the first degree if he or she commits robbery of a pharmacy. The bill clarifies only the portion of a building or store that is licensed by the Board of Pharmacy constitutes a pharmacy for purposes of robbery in the first degree.
HB 2006 Medicine Stewardship Program: The bill requires the Board of Pharmacy to create a product stewardship program. The program provides a collection system for all unwanted legend and nonlegend drugs from residential sources. An increase in business and occupational taxes paid by persons engaging in the reselling and warehousing of prescription drugs will fund the program.