MINUTES OF THE

      SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND LABOR

 

      Sixty-seventh Session

      May 6, 1993

 

 

 

The Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor was called to order by Chairman Randolph J. Townsend, at 8:30 a.m., on Thursday, May 6, 1993, in Room 227 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada.  Exhibit A is the Meeting Agenda.  Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster.

 

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

Senator Randolph J. Townsend, Chairman

Senator Sue Lowden, Vice Chairman

Senator Ann O'Connell

Senator Mike McGinness

Senator Raymond C. Shaffer

Senator Leonard V. Nevin

Senator Lori L. Brown

 

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

Denise Pinnock, Committee Secretary

Brian Davie, Senior Research Analyst

 

OTHERS PRESENT:

 

Keith Macdonald, Executive Secretary, Nevada State Board of            Pharmacy

Fred Hillerby, Lobbyist, Nevada State Board of Pharmacy

David Chan, Pharmacist, American Association of Retired Citizens       Pharmacy Service

Mary Santina, Lobbyist, Retail Association of Nevada

Helen Foley, Lobbyist, Nevada Nurses Association

Marsha Berkbigler, Lobbyist, Nevada State Medical Association

Bobbie Gang, Lobbyist, Nevada Pharmacists Association

 

 

Chairman Townsend submitted a draft of a news release (Exhibit C) which explained the committee's intent in regard to reviewing automobile insurance.  Senator Townsend opened the hearing on Senate Bill (S.B.) 246.

 

S.B. 246:   Revises certain provisions relating to practice of pharmacy and state board of pharmacy.

 

 

Keith Macdonald, Executive Secretary, Nevada State Board of  Pharmacy, submitted proposed amendments to the bill (Exhibit D).

 

Fred Hillerby, Lobbyist, Nevada State Board of Pharmacy, volunteered to supply the committee with copies of the latest summary from the federal register of types of scheduled drugs.

 

Senator O'Connell asked about the lack of definition for "intern pharmacists."  Mr. Macdonald explained an intern pharmacist is one who has completed at least 1 year in a college of pharmacy and is enrolled in college.  He has to have had a certain number of hours of practice.  The definition would also include a person who had graduated from a college of pharmacy.  Graduates must complete 1500 hours of practical experience in a pharmacy in order to be licensed.

 

Mr. Macdonald continued with his explanation of the proposed amendments. 

 

Senator Townsend asked about the penalties for obtaining prescription drugs.  Mr. Macdonald stated it would be a felony offense.

 

Senator Townsend questioned section 17 of the proposed bill, which would delete the language specifying "a licensed nurse," and replace it with a generic.  Senator Townsend was concerned with the fact that an oral order for medication could be taken by anyone answering the telephone.  Mr. Macdonald and Mr. Hillerby agreed to clarify that the order would be taken by an authorized person. 

 

There followed a lengthy discussion on the different uses of some common chemicals.

 

David Chan, Pharmacist, American Association of Retired Citizens  Pharmacy Service, explained the reasoning behind the intern program for pharmacists.  

 

Mary Santina, Lobbyist, Retail Association of Nevada, expressed her organization's, and National Rx's, support for the bill.

 

Helen Foley, Lobbyist, Nevada Nurses Association, said the association was pleased with the amendment, except for the removal of the specific language regarding who takes oral orders over the telephone.

 

Marsha Berkbigler, Lobbyist, Nevada State Medical Association, supported the bill with the amendment.

 

Bobbie Gang, Lobbyist, Nevada Pharmacists Association, stated her organization's support of the bill.  She did suggest limiting the distance a managing pharmacist could be from the pharmacies he managed.

 

Senator Townsend asked all involved parties to work out their amendments and submit them to Senator Shaffer.  Senator Townsend closed the hearing on S.B. 246, and opened the hearing on S.B. 216.

 

S.B. 216:   Provides for licensing of biophysical therapists.

 

Angelo Sakelaris, representing the Nevada Physical Therapy Association, had submitted written testimony opposing the bill (Exhibit E).  There were no testifiers present.  Senator Townsend stated he would reschedule the bill at a later date.

 

As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:35 a.m.

 

 

 

 

 

     

                  RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

 

                                           

                  Denise Pinnock,

                  Committee Secretary

 

 

 

APPROVED BY:

 

 

 

 

                                     

Senator Randolph J. Townsend, Chairman

 

 

DATE:                                

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Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor

May 6, 1993

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