Students and local legislators discuss current issues in pharmacy

This annual event gives pharmacy students the opportunity to meet with area legislators to discuss new legislation that affects health care.

Legislators in attendance were Senator Timothy Kennedy, Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, Assemblymember Michael Norris, Assemblymember Karen McMahon, Senator Edward Rath and Senator Robert Ortt.

Students and legislators discussed three pending New York State bills:

1. Comprehensive Medication Management Bill
   This bill would authorize a treating physician to refer selected patients to an individual pharmacist for services directly related to medications prescribed by the physician for treating chronic diseases.
2. Point-of-Care (CLIA-Waived) Testing Bill
   This bill would add pharmacists to the list of licensed health care professionals who are qualified to perform clinical laboratory tests for conditions such as COVID-19, flu, strep, blood glucose, Hepatitis C and HIV.
3. Long-Acting Injections Bill
   This bill would add long-acting injection medications to the definition of “administration” for treatment of substance abuse disorder and other mental health conditions.

“I hope that students were able to see how important it is to be up to date on legislation that affects pharmacy practice,” says Anastasia Kurdziel, PharmD ’22, SPAWNY president. “We’re using our voices to educate legislators about certain laws that, if passed, could help us to better serve our patients and community.”