LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bill (SB) 219 into law today, quickly approving an MPA-priority measure that was introduced earlier this year. SB 219 authorizes pharmacists to independently prescribe and administer Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices-indicated (ACIP) vaccines to patients ages 3 and up. Additionally, it allows for pharmacists to independently administer Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments-waived (CLIA) tests for influenza and COVID-19. In the event of a positive test, the legislation allows pharmacists to dispense appropriate antiviral therapies to the patient. The final version of the bill includes the following provisions: Pharmacists may independently order an immunization recommended by ACIP to individuals 3 years of age and up provided they have completed a board-approved training program. Requires pharmacists [...]

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a birth control pill to be sold without a prescription for the first time in the United States, a milestone that could significantly expand access to contraception. The medication, called Opill, will become the most effective birth control method available over the counter — more effective at preventing pregnancy than condoms, spermicides and other nonprescription methods. Experts in reproductive health said its availability could be especially useful for young women, teenagers and those who have difficulty dealing with the time, costs or logistical hurdles involved in visiting a doctor to obtain a prescription. The pill’s manufacturer, Perrigo Company, based in Dublin, said Opill would most likely become available from stores and online retailers in [...]

State regulators are moving to eliminate a certification requirement to become a licensed pharmacist in the state. However, the elimination of the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam, which assesses competency in state and federal drug distribution laws, is controversial. The Michigan Pharmacists Association opposes the wholesale removal of the requirement. "Pharmacists are far more likely to be brought before the pharmacy board for potential legal violations than any other provider," MPA Director of Government Affairs Eric Roath said. "Physician cases are usually due to a clinical error. Pharmacy is the highest-regulated field in health care. To say there are no better solutions to ensuring practice competency than to just remove the exam is wrong. The competency assessment is actually effective in [...]

The Michigan Legislature passed Senate Bill (SB) 219 Tuesday, June 27, after the House of Representatives voted 96-12 in favor of the measure. The Senate, which previously passed the bill 36-1 in March, concurred and approved the final version in a 35-1 vote. The bill now heads to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's desk to be signed into law. SB 219 authorizes pharmacists to independently prescribe and administer ACIP indicated vaccines to patients ages 3 and up. Additionally, it allows for pharmacists to independently administer CLIA-waived tests for influenza and COVID-19. In the event of a positive test, the legislation allows pharmacists to dispense appropriate antiviral therapies to the patient.

Bay City has recently lost two independent pharmacies, which has been attributed to rising drug costs. Layerer's Pharmacy, owned by MPA member John Muir, closed June 21 after 120 years in business. The closure came shortly after Southside Pharmacy shuttered its doors in May. WJRT ABC-12 reported that nearly 600 independent pharmacies nationwide have gone out of business in the last 20 years, according to a study by the University of Iowa. "The chain pharmacies in our area are so overwhelmed right now," said MPA member Steve Kennedy, who owns Anderson Pharmacy in Bay City. "Without us independents around I think they would really be in trouble with being able to staff their pharmacies and get prescriptions out on a [...]