Model legislation provides standardized language that can be adopted in statehouses across the country as legislators craft laws that influence pharmacy practice. ASHP model legislation has already helped states enact pharmacy-centric laws on white bagging, nondiscrimination in the 340B Drug Pricing Program, comprehensive medication management, and medications for opioid use disorder.

Today, I’m pleased to share our latest model legislation, which is part of an initiative to authorize pharmacy technician product verification (TPV) in all states. TPV allows qualified pharmacy technicians, under a pharmacist’s supervision, to verify each other's work. TPV includes final product verification (tech-check-tech) and the use of technology to ensure correct medication selection and preparation at all stages of distribution.

TPV is a priority for ASHP because it enables pharmacy technicians to fully contribute to safe, efficient patient care. These policies also afford pharmacists additional time to engage in clinical activities and direct patient care.

Before creating the new model legislation, ASHP reviewed legislative and regulatory language used in 28 states that allow some degree of TPV and used those findings to help define the essentials of TPV and clarify types of tasks that pharmacists can delegate to their technicians. The final version of the model legislation also covers technician training, quality control, and state Board of Pharmacy authority to adopt or revise regulations related to TPV.

As part of the model legislation rollout, ASHP collaborated with the ASHP Pharmacy Technician Forum Executive Committee to capture key TPV insights. We were also pleased to convene a virtual roundtable event on Feb. 22 with about 100 multi-hospital health-system chief pharmacy officers and volunteer leaders of ASHP’s Section of Pharmacy Practice Leaders. The participants offered insights on TPV workflows and described legislative and regulatory changes that were necessary for their organizations to enable TPV implementation.

In addition to releasing our model legislation, ASHP has developed an informative TPV infographic, a list of answers to frequently asked questions, and a document describing key elements of TPV policy. We encourage our members to use these resources during discussions with legislators and health-system leaders. We’re also working with our state affiliates to coordinate advocacy efforts across the nation.

In states that don’t yet allow TPV, it’s critical for pharmacy leaders to educate their executive leadership about the issue and to get it on the organization’s advocacy agenda. TPV brings value to health systems by optimizing pharmacy workforce capabilities and technology, and improving patient care.

If you’re fortunate to practice in a state that already allows TPV, ASHP encourages you to maximize its use and to look for new ways to expand it — and to advocate for changes when existing laws are insufficient or overly burdensome.

Pharmacy technicians are essential members of the pharmacy workforce. By advocating for laws that allow technicians to fully use their skills and abilities, we strengthen the pharmacy team and better serve our patients.

Thank you for all you do for your patients and our profession.

Sincerely,

Paul

Posted on March 5, 2024