HB 1280 — An Act amending the act of September 27, 1961 (P.L.1700, No.699), known as the Pharmacy Act, providing for medication error prevention training.

PRINTER'S NO.   1452

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 1280
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY GUZMAN, HILL-EVANS, SANCHEZ, RIVERA AND CEPEDA-
        FREYTIZ, APRIL 22, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, APRIL 22, 2025


                                     AN ACT
 1   Amending the act of September 27, 1961 (P.L.1700, No.699),
 2      entitled "An act relating to the regulation of the practice
 3      of pharmacy, including the sales, use and distribution of
 4      drugs and devices at retail; and amending, revising,
 5      consolidating and repealing certain laws relating thereto,"
 6      providing for medication error prevention training.
 7      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 8   hereby enacts as follows:
 9      Section 1.    The act of September 27, 1961 (P.L.1700, No.699),
10   known as the Pharmacy Act, is amended by adding a section to
11   read:
12      Section 3.5.    Medication Error Prevention Training.--(a)   The
13   board shall develop a medication error prevention training
14   program for licensed pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and
15   pharmacy technician trainees.
16      (b)   The medication error prevention training program
17   established under subsection (a) shall:
18      (1)   Be conducted by a board-approved instructor.
19      (2)   Utilize a board-approved written curriculum and
20   examination.
 1      (3)    Cover the following topics:
 2      (i)    The role, responsibilities and performance of the
 3   prescribing physician in the medication administration process.
 4      (ii)     The rights of the individual regarding accepting or
 5   refusing medications.
 6      (iii)     Categories of medications, including effects
 7   associated with each category.
 8      (iv)     Effective management of poisoning or medication
 9   overdose.
10      (v)    Storage and disposal of medications.
11      (vi)     Communications with individuals or guardians, if
12   applicable, about the individual's medications.
13      (vii)     The six principles of medication administration,
14   including:
15      (A)    The correct medication.
16      (B)    The correct dosage of the medication.
17      (C)    The medication to the correct individual.
18      (D)    The medication at the correct time.
19      (E)    The medication to the individual by the correct method.
20      (F)    The accurate documentation.
21      (4)    Include a medication error prevention examination that
22   requires the demonstration of the requisite knowledge and skills
23   of medication error prevention.
24      (c)    An instructor shall issue a certification for the
25   completion of the training program established under subsection
26   (a) to an individual if the individual:
27      (1)    Successfully completes the medication error prevention
28   training program.
29      (2)    Scores 80% or higher on the examination under subsection
30   (b)(4).

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 1      (3)    Demonstrates knowledge of the following pertaining to
 2   administering medications:
 3      (i)    The name of the medication.
 4      (ii)    The reason for the medication's use.
 5      (iii)    Any side effects or adverse reactions.
 6      (iv)    Any special instructions for the medication such as
 7   giving certain fluids, checking pulse rate or monitoring blood
 8   levels.
 9      (d)    Each pharmacist, pharmacy technician and pharmacy
10   technician trainee shall take part in the medication error
11   prevention training annually.
12      (e)    A pharmacist who has been licensed in this Commonwealth
13   for less than five years must obtain a certificate of completion
14   in accordance with subsection (c) twice each year until the
15   pharmacist has been licensed in this Commonwealth for a total of
16   five years.
17      Section 2.    This act shall take effect in 180 days.




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