From WisPolitics.com/WisBusiness.com …
— Legislation from GOP authors would allow any pharmacy in Wisconsin to operate as a “remote dispensing site” or telepharmacy, under the oversight of an offsite pharmacist.
Sen. Jesse James of Thorp and Rep. Nancy VanderMeer of Tomah this week began circulating a co-sponsorship memo for LRB-2166 and LRB-5797, which they say would “modernize” pharmacy practice in Wisconsin while supporting the rural health workforce.
They note rural and other underserved communities in the state are facing local pharmacy closures, reduced hours and workforce shortages, making it harder for patients to get access to essential medications.
“In many small towns and lower-resource regions, the challenge is not whether a pharmacy wants to stay open — it is whether they can,” authors wrote. “Some cannot attract full-time pharmacists; others simply cannot afford one due to low prescription volume or reimbursement realities … Telepharmacy is a way to prevent pharmacy deserts and keep care within reach.”
Under current state law, remote pharmacy supervision is allowed for pharmacies located within certain facilities including practitioner clinics, correctional facilities and hospitals. In this model, the pharmacy is remotely staffed by a pharmacist while pharmacy technicians do the in-person work.
Authors say this system has proven to be “safe and effective” for more than a decade, but it remains out of reach for community pharmacies, which they say are “most vulnerable” to staffing problems. Under their bill, any licensed pharmacy in the state could operate under this model as long as it meets regulatory requirements set by the Pharmacy Examining Board, according to the memo.
The lawmakers argue the change would preserve “all existing guardrails” and wouldn’t weaken safety standards.
“Patients will continue to have the right to speak directly with a pharmacist, dispensing cannot occur without real-time pharmacist communication, and the same final check and drug utilization review performed in a traditional pharmacy will occur under remote supervision,” they wrote.
The co-sponsorship deadline is 4 p.m. Tuesday.
See the bill text.
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