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CPhA's Weekly Legislative Briefing
August 11, 2015


Welcome to this week's issue of the Capitol Pulse.
TOP STORY
Governor Signs SB 590 to Streamline Pharmacist Application Process
This weekend, Governor Brown signed SB 590, introduced by Senator Jeff Stone, Pharm.D, to streamlines the pharmacist licensure application process for pharmacy school graduates.  SB 590 automatically recognizes pharmacy practice experience hours earned at accredited schools of pharmacy as meeting the requirements for pharmacist intern hours required for licensure.  In doing so, this bill eliminates the need for signed affidavits from all pharmacy practice experience preceptors as part of the application process.  

CPhA was pleased to support this issue by bringing it to the Board of Pharmacy on behalf of the Pharmacy Leadership Council, leading to the Board pushing for this issue with the Legislature.  We thank Senator Stone for his leadership in getting SB 590 passed!

Board of Pharmacy Update
The Board of Pharmacy released modified text for proposed Sterile Compounding Regulations.  CPhA's Sterile Compounding Taskforce is reviewing these modifications and preparing written comments.  These proposed regulations have the potential for a significant impact on sterile compounding pharmacies and hospital pharmacies.  This is the third release of proposed regulations, and CPhA has been very involved in providing written comments to the BOP to ensure safety and patient access while avoiding unnecessary regulations that are not consistent with USP.
  
Other Pharmacy-Related News
Judge Bars FDA From Stopping Off-Label Marketing
A federal judge barred the Food and Drug Administration from blocking a drug company's efforts to promote an unapproved use for pills derived from fish oil, saying the firm's claims are protected by the First AmendmentRead more...
 
Sen. Richard Pan, D-Sacramento, is the target of a recall campaign mounted by foes of a mandatory vaccination bill, which he co-sponsored. Read more...
 
Blue Shield of California Owes $82.8 million in Rebates
Health insurance giant Blue Shield of California owes $82.8 million in rebates to consumers and small employers under requirements of the federal health law. Read more...
 
California Slipping on Anti-Tobacco Policies
Once a national leader in anti-tobacco efforts, California is slipping in some key measures, including its low cigarette tax, according to an annual ranking of cancer-fighting policies in all 50 states, released Thursday by the American Cancer Society. Read more...

State Review Authority of Insurance Rates Helps Constrain Increases
Strengthening state-level prior approval authority over health insurance rates in the individual market could constrain premium increases, according to a study published in Health Affairs. Read more...

Health Care Industry Among Largest Donors to Lawmakers
The health care industry was among the largest contributors to California lawmakers' fundraising efforts during the first half of 2015, according to recent campaign filings. Read more...

Oscar Wants To 'Revolutionize' Health Care
Oscar, the buzzed-about health insurance startup, will join Covered California this year. Can it deliver on its hype, or will it get lost in the crowd? Read more...

Obama Signs Bill To Help Veterans Save for Care
This week, President Obama signed into law a bill (HR 2514) by a California lawmaker that seeks to help veterans save money to cover health care expenses. Read more...

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