PHYSICIAN NOTIFICATION LEGISLATION

PHYSICIAN NOTIFICATION LEGISLATION
TO BE HEARD BY HOUSE HEALTH COMMITTEE

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Medication Therapy Monitoring and Management Act (HB 2655) will be heard in the House Health Committee on Tuesday, April 13, 2010.

The bill, which is sponsored by Rep. Debra Maggart (R-Hendersonville), would establish a process by which doctors can request notification from a pharmacy for any changes to their patients’ prescriptions.

“The intent of House Bill 2655 is simple,” said Maggart. “Its sole purpose is to increase communication between the pharmacist, doctor and patient on drugs that require close monitoring. My co-sponsor, Sen. Diane Black, and Rep. Shepard and I have spent the past year listening to the concerns of patients who take these so-called critical dose drugs. All they ask is that their physician to be notified if their medication must change”

Notification is a tool that doctors may use to manage and monitor their patients’ critical dose therapy. Critical dose drugs are those in which a small difference in dose concentration can lead to serious consequences. Examples of such drugs include blood thinners, thyroid medications, Lithium, and anti-rejection drugs for organ transplants.

The act will not inhibit a pharmacist’s ability to substitute one drug for another. Nor will it cause a delay in getting medication to the patient. In fact, the notification to the prescribing doctor can be made after the prescription has been filled. Doctors can choose whether to be notified at the time they write the prescription.

“Consumers are craving more control of and more involvement in their health care,” Maggart said. “This legislation is an easy way to give them that control by enhancing the relationship between patient, doctor and pharmacist.”

Rep. Maggart invites anyone who is interested in the legislation to contact her at (615) 741-3893, or via e-mail at rep.debra.maagart@capitol.tn.gov.

The Senate General Welfare, Health & Human Resources Committee passed the companion bill (SB 2639), sponsored by Sen. Diane Black, on March 10.

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