The 2024 legislative session is underway and a variety of bills affecting pharmacy have been introduced and Discussed. CSHP and the Connecticut Pharmacist Association (CPA) have joined our government affairs forces to address the important issues being considered. Below are the top two issues identified for health system practice in Connecticut during this legislative session.

S.B 133 - AN ACT CONCERNING REGULATION OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND RELATED PROFESSIONS

S.B. 133 has a variety of provisions that will help enhance pharmacy practice in Connecticut, notability the establishment of an advanced technician role. The advanced technician role will allow experienced certified pharmacy technicians who meet defined educational criteria to perform final product verification, administer vaccines, and administer COVID-19, influenza and HIV-related tests under direct supervision of a pharmacist. CPA and CSHP both provided written and verbal testimony in support of this bill.  CSHP worked closely with Drug Control, and CPA in drafting/revising the language of this bill to help advance technician practice within the state of Connecticut. As of 4/23/2024, this legislation has passed unanimously in the Senate and now moves to a vote in the House.

S.B. 8 - AN ACT CONCERNING DRUG AFFORDABILITY.

S.B. 8 has a variety of provisions aimed at both improving medication affordability for patients in Connecticut and helping with drug shortage management. Although the aims of this bill are laudable, there are several concerning aspects to the bill. The concerns include a section on importation of medications from Canada and potentially other foreign countries, and a section on requiring hospitals to require manufacturers/wholesalers to hold a 6-month stockpile of certain prescription medications.  CSHP has joined CPA and the Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) in voicing concerns on certain aspects of this well-intentioned bill. Of note, there are positive aspects to this bill, including protections for 340B contract pharmacies that CSHP and CHA support.

If you would like to become involved in the CSHP/CPA Joint Legislative Committee or provide feedback on CSHP’s legislative priorities, please contact Chrissy Hatfield (christina.hatfield@hhchealth.org) or  (Marjorie.lazarre@ynhh.org).