CONTACT YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS TO OPPOSE PHARMACISTS TESTING AND TREATING PATIENTS

Please contact your state legislators today to oppose last minute efforts by big box pharmacies that is expected to be included in the Budget Implementation Bill (BIMP) allowing pharmacists to test and treat for certain health care conditions. 

The Illinois Retail Merchant’s Association (IRMA) is behind the inclusion of this provision in the budget bill.  They had sought test and treat since early in the legislative session and gained zero traction due to our fierce opposition.   IRMA asked the Governor to include it in the budget package as condition of their neutrality on another provision which reduces the amount of sales tax transaction fees retained by businesses, which will increase state revenues.

This language will drastically change the scope of practice of pharmacists by allowing them to prescribe drugs independent of a physician for the flu, strep, RSV, and head lice in addition to COVID.  These drugs have many negative side effects and, in certain situations, should not be prescribed at all.   

Pharmacists’ training does not involve clinical exposure to the variety of patients and medical conditions that may be permitted under test and treat protocols.  

Pharmacists are already overworked and overburdened without scope expansions, especially in the community setting. Scope expansions like the one proposed in any Test-to-Treat Proposal only add burdens to an overburdened pharmacist workforce and threaten patient safety.

CONTACT YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS TODAY TO OPPOSE PHARMACISTS TEST AND TREAT IN THE BIMP BILL