HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 54
(By Delegates Perdue, Hatfield, Brown, DeLong, Fleischauer,
Foster, Frederick, Hrutkay, Iaquinta, Leach, Mahan, Paxton,
Spencer, Susman, Warner, Webster, Yost, Ashley, Carmichael, Hall,
Howard, Schadler, Sobonya, Sumner, Wakim)
(Originating in the Committee on Health and Human Resources)
[February 26, 2004]
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to conduct
a study of the efficacy of collaborative pharmacy practice
agreements between pharmacists and physicians and whether
patient safety and welfare would be promoted or enhanced by
such agreements.
WHEREAS, Many residents of West Virginia have limited access
to health care, especially in rural areas of the State; and
WHEREAS, There is a limited supply of health care
professionals practicing in West Virginia, thus facing an increased
demand on the time and service of these practicing professionals;
and
W
HEREAS
, Many West Virginians cannot afford health care; and
W
HEREAS
, The cost of health care, especially the cost of
prescription drugs, continues to increase; and
W
HEREAS
, The growth of available medications has led to a rapid
expansion of drug related problems; and
W
HEREAS
, Adverse drug reactions and treatment failures in the
United States cost $121.5 billion in hospital admissions, $13.8
billion in physician office visits and over 200,000 deaths in 2000;
and
WHEREAS, For every $1 spent on prescription drugs, $1.60 is
spent resolving problems associated with the use of prescription
drugs; and
W
HEREAS
, Proper and appropriate use of prescription drugs can
prevent unnecessary health care services, reduce the cost of health
care and improve patient outcomes; and
W
HEREAS
, Collaborative drug therapy management allows
pharmacists and physicians to work together to improve patient care
and reduce health care expenditures; and
WHEREAS, Forty states currently permit pharmacists and
physicians to enter into collaborative agreements to improve
patient care and reduce cost; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to conduct a study of the feasibility of allowing
pharmacists and physicians to enter into collaborative agreements;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2005, on
its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be
paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance.
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