CDTM Support Memo

A bill to amend the Education Law to permit pharmacists in certain practice settings to collaborate with physicians and nurse practitioners

We strongly support this effort to modernize and improve the efficiency of health care delivery in the clinical settings specified in the bill. Most states allow pharmacists to collaborate with physicians and nurse practitioners, and the experience there combined with peer-reviewed literature document the benefit of this collaboration. The bill has undergone several years of negotiation between affected parties, and legislators and staff have scrutinized it carefully. As a result, we firmly believe that the above-referenced legislation represents sound public policy for the citizens of New York. It is also overdue.

The imperative for passage is clear. To cite an obvious example, the implementation of Medicare Part D in 2006 changed dramatically and forever the way medications are provided in skilled nursing facilities. Every resident now has his/her individual Medicare Part D plan with its unique formulary, quantity allowances, etc., and providing medications that meet the patient's needs imposes a heavy burden on clinical staff - physicians, nurses and pharmacists. Passing this bill would not lessen the extra time involved in medication decision-making, nor does it lessen in any way the responsibility of the physician or nurse involved in the patient's care, but once a clinical decision is reached, it will allow the pharmacist to interact with the Part D plan to obtain coverage of a new medication or to appeal to have a non-formulary drug covered, a process that can take several days. In other words, this bill is necessary so that the system of healthcare delivery works more efficiently. It would allow the pharmacist to proceed, and it would eliminate unnecessary and time-consuming red tape for physicians. Pharmacists are the most appropriate licensed professional to resolve medication-related plan-coverage issues. Pharmacists are effective advocates in the appeals process.

Other states that have expanded of pharmacists' authority in the context of Collaborative Drug Therapy Management have improved the efficiency of healthcare delivery as well as clinical outcomes for patients. New York's time is now.

The Pharmacists Society of the State of New York represents thousands of pharmacists is a variety of practice settings.