HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 77
(By Delegates Perdue, Border, Douglas, Kuhn, Angotti, Azinger,
Brown, Butcher, DeLong, Ellem, Ennis, Flanigan, Hatfield,
Leggett, Manchin, Martin, Marshall, McGraw, Overington, Prunty,
Stephens, Tucker, Walters, Varner and Yeager)
[Originating in the Committee on Government Organization]
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to
conduct a comprehensive study of current trends in the
practice of pharmacy in West Virginia and the adequacy of
current law to protect the public interest.
Whereas, The State regulates and monitors the practice of
professions through licensing boards, comprised primarily of
professionals practicing in the profession being regulated, that
verify credentials, require continuing education, resolve
complaints against licensees, and otherwise monitor the practice
of the profession; and
Whereas, It is vitally important that there be a sufficient
number of pharmacies and pharmacists in West Virginia to meet the
full complexity of needs of citizens throughout the state; and
Whereas, Issues have arisen as to whether staffing and
supervision are sufficient to avoid errors in dispensing
prescription medications; and
Whereas, The current law regulating the practice of pharmacy
should be examined comprehensively to determine whether it should
be updated to correspond to modern technology and practices in
the dispensing of medications; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to study the regulation of the practice of pharmacy in
West Virginia, to include, but not be limited to, medication
errors that may occur in the practice of pharmacy, and whether
there are sufficient numbers of pharmacies and pharmacists in
West Virginia to continue to achieve accessibility and quality in
the delivery of all aspects of pharmacy care in West Virginia;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government
and Finance report to the Legislature during the regular session
of the Legislature, 2002, on its findings, conclusions and
recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation
necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary
legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint
Committee on Government and Finance.