MO Pharmacist August 2022

End of Session Report: Oddities Abound in 2022 by HENRIO THELEMAQUE

The 2022 legislative session adjourned on Friday, May 13 with 45 non-appropriations bills and resolutions passed and sent to the Governor. Over the past 40 years, the average number of bills passed each sessionhas been about 150.This session’s legislative output was diminished by infighting, especially among Republican Senators. The year was marked by frequent filibusters, a months-long stalemate on congressional redistricting, and personal attacks between Senators on the floor and in social media. Despite these challenges to productivity, the General Assembly passed a historic $49 billionbudget aswell as substantial policy changes, such as reinstating photo IDrequirements to vote and increasing funding for charter schools. In many ways, this session is most notable for what did not advance. Many of the conservative issues stalled, including initiative petition reform, limitations on transgender student athletes, employer vaccine mandate bans, and school curriculum restrictions. This report provides an overview of major policies addressed by the General Assembly specific to the Missouri Pharmacy Association. Following this is an overview of other major pieces of legis lation this session. Missouri Pharmacy Association Issues 2022 Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine This legislative session, various legislative provisions regarding Ivermectin and Hydroxychloro quine were filed regarding the profession of pharmacy. The extent to which proposals would impact pharmacists varied, andmany of these bills mandated that a pharmacist dispense thesemedications without any questions for either the patient or physician. During debate on HouseBill 2149 , Senators added language that would restrict a pharmacist’s ability to consult a patient for these medications. Due to a majority of Senators supporting this measure, and the nature of the Missouri Senate, the Missouri Pharmacy Associationworked to find a compromise that would not impede the practice of pharmacy nor restrict a pharmacist’s ability to use their clinical skills that they’ve cultivated for years. The language that was Truly Agreed and Finally Passed does the following: • Nothing requires you to dispense, nor carry Ivermectin andHydroxychloroquine. • The Missouri Board of Pharmacy can’t punish a pharmacist for LEGALLY dispensing Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine. • A pharmacist cannot call the prescribing physician to dispute the safety of ivermectin FOR HUMAN USE. The provision in HB 2149 does not constrict a pharmacist’s ability to dispute the efficacy Ivermectin or Hydroxychloro quine to treat Covid-19 or any other disease state. Nothing in this provi sion constricts a pharmacist’s ability to consult a patient that shouldn’t take these medications due to certain health conditions or contraindi cations to other drugs.

Henrio Thelemaque is the Director of Government Affairs of the Missouri Pharmacy Association.

Get in touch with Henrio to ask questions or to get information about session. Contact Henrio at henrio@MoRx.com

10 Missouri PHARMACIST | Volume 96, Issue II | August 2022