The outlook for pharmacist initiation and modification of drug therapy.
Changing state laws to permit an expanded scope of practice for pharmacists is a key step in positioning pharmacists to provide pharmaceutical care. Sixteen states currently allow pharmacists to initiate and/or modify drug therapy; legislation is proposed in 15 other states. Twenty-eight of the 44 states that completed the survey allow pharmacists neither dependent nor independent authority to prescribe. Physician opposition was often cited as a barrier to passage of legislation. The Indian Health Service and the Department of Veterans Affairs extend pharmacists independent prescribing authority.
Pharmaceutical Economics Research Center, School of Pharmacy and Pharmacal Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., USA.
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D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D006801:Humans; D007885:Legislation, Pharmacy / Q000639:trends*; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014481:United States