Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session Status: In Committee 11 D cosponsors

HB 1985 — An Act amending the act of September 27, 1961 (P.L.1700, No.699), known as the Pharmacy Act, providing for medication error prevention training.

Last action — Referred to Health

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2023-2024 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

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AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This bill establishes a mandatory medication error prevention training program for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy technician trainees in Pennsylvania.

  • Section 3.5

    Medication Error Prevention Training.--(a) The board shall develop a medication error prevention training program for licensed pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy technician trainees. (b) The medication error prevention training program established under subsection (a) shall: (1) Be conducted by a board-approved instructor. (2) Utilize a board-approved written curriculum and examination. (3) Cover the following topics: (i) The role, responsibilities and performance of the prescribing physician in the medication administration process. (ii) The rights of the individual regarding accepting or refusing medications. (iii) Categories of medications, including effects associated with each category. (iv) Effective management of poisoning or medication overdose. (v) Storage and disposal of medications. (vi) Communications with individuals or guardians, if applicable, about the individual's medications. (vii) The six principles of medication administration, including: (A) The correct medication. (B) The correct dosage of the medication. (C) The medication to the correct individual. (D) The medication at the correct time. (E) The medication to the individual by the correct method. (F) The accurate documentation. (4) Include a medication error prevention examination that requires the demonstration of the requisite knowledge and skills of medication error prevention. (c) An instructor shall issue a certification for the completion of the training program established under subsection (a) to an individual if the individual: (1) Successfully completes the medication error prevention training program. (2) Scores 80% or higher on the examination under subsection (b)(4). (3) Demonstrates knowledge of the following pertaining to administering medications: (i) The name of the medication. (ii) The reason for the medication's use. (iii) Any side effects or adverse reactions. (iv) Any special instructions for the medication such as giving certain fluids, checking pulse rate or monitoring blood levels. (d) Each pharmacist, pharmacy technician and pharmacy technician trainee shall take part in the medication error prevention training annually. (e) A pharmacist who has been licensed in this Commonwealth for less than five years must obtain a certificate of completion in accordance with subsection (c) twice each year until the pharmacist has been licensed in Pennsylvania for a total of five years.

    This creates new requirements for medication error prevention training for pharmacy professionals.

Action History

  1. Referred to Health

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 10 co-sponsors · 242 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (10)

Not signed on (242)

242 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

healthcare health-insurance
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 1985?
HB 1985 is sponsored by Manuel Guzman (Democratic), Danilo Burgos (Democratic), Carol Hill-Evans (Democratic), Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (Democratic), Malcolm Kenyatta (Democratic), La'Tasha D. Mayes (Democratic), G. Roni Green (Democratic), Mary Jo Daley (Democratic), Lindsay Powell (Democratic), Carol Kazeem (Democratic), and Benjamin V. Sanchez (Democratic).
What is the current status of HB 1985?
This bill died with 2023-2024 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HB 1985?
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