JEFFERSON CITY—The Missouri Legislature sent to the governor today House Bill 315, an omnibus bill regarding medical care in Missouri that includes provisions identical to legislation filed by Sen. Jay Wasson, R-Nixa, to help patients get refills of prescription eye drops before the prescription expires and allow pharmacists to issue emergency supplies of medication in certain circumstances.  

“Eye drops are commonly prescribed to treat glaucoma. The problem, though, is these bottles contain exactly enough for 30 days, down to the milliliter,” said Sen. Wasson. “If even a little is spilled, which happens, especially to elderly patients, that’s a day that person won’t have treatment for what can be a seriously debilitating medical condition. This bill simply allows citizens to get a refill before the prescription technically expires.”

Additionally, the legislation allows pharmacists to issue an emergency supply of medication if the pharmacist cannot obtain a refill authorization from the prescriber because of death or incapacity. The supply is limited to seven days in an emergency and 30 days in case of the physician’s death. Controlled substances could not be refilled.

“After the Joplin tornado, countless people were unable to get their medications filled because their doctor was unavailable due to the disaster,” said Sen. Wasson. “This bill would give people in those situations a way to get necessary medication on a short-term basis until they can get in touch with their doctor or attend another physician.”

House Bill 315 also gives the Missouri Board of Pharmacy explicit authority to test pharmaceutical drugs. In the early 2000s, the General Assembly began appropriating funds to allow the board to test pharmaceutical drugs for proper strength and quality. No law was ever passed, however, specifically putting the authority in statute. Senator Wasson’s provision in HB 315 will allow the board to continue testing pharmaceutical drugs in Missouri.

In addition to those provisions, House Bill 315 would also:

• allow the Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts to regulate the licensing of athletic trainers in the state;
• cap the price dentists can charge for procedures not covered under insurance regardless of any contract between the dentist and the insurance provider;
• redefine the legal definition of “negligence” to better allow the state Board of Nursing to discipline negligent and incompetent nurses in Missouri;
• specify which exams physicians must complete to receive a license;
• modify the limits on services physician assistants can provide without the supervision of a physician;
• create four new classes of pharmacy permits; and
• change regulations on telehealth medicine services performed by advanced practice registered nurses.  

The bill now goes to the governor for his signature. If approved, the bill would take effect on Aug. 28, 2013.

For more information on Sen. Wasson’s sponsored legislation, visit his Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/wasson.