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MSHP Written Testimony S.2492 and H. 4109

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MSHP Written Testimony S.2492 and H. 4109

Advocacy & Legislation
MSHP Written Testimony S.2492 and H. 4109

Re:  S. 2492 and H. 4109 “An Act Relative to Collaborative Drug Therapy Management Optimization”

Dear Senator Comerford, Representative Decker, and Members of the Committee:

On behalf of the Massachusetts Society of Health System Pharmacists (MSHP) we are writing in strong support of S. 2492 and H. 4109 “An Act Relative to Collaborative Drug Therapy Management Optimization”. 

Collaborative Drug Therapy Management (CDTM) agreements currently permitted under state law allows a qualified pharmacist, under the supervision of a physician to modify, adjust and discontinue medications for several disease states.

The proposed legislation seeks to address a provision in MGL Chapter 112, s.24b 1/2 (C), s.4 specific to CDTM that requires “on-site supervision by the attending physician” in the ambulatory care clinic setting. The “on-site supervision requirement” in the existing statute has been identified to be a significant barrier to new innovative ways of providing CDTM services remotely to patients. Bills S2492/H4109 include language specific to CDTM that require “on-site or off-site supervision by the attending physician” in the ambulatory care clinic setting.

Since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have identified that the “on site supervision requirement” in the existing statute to be a significant barrier providing CDTM services remotely to patients.  We believe that consultation and supervision by an off-site supervising physician (using video, audio only, EMR-based secure messaging technology, etc.) would be in line with modern healthcare needs to provide CDTM services remotely.

We urge the Committee to act favorably on S2492/H4109 as soon as possible and look forward to working with the Committee on this legislation.                                       

Thank you again for the opportunity to provide input on this important matter. MSHP welcomes the opportunity to discuss these issues in more detail with your or members of your staff.  If you have any questions or require further information, please feel free to contact me at president@mashp.org

Sincerely,

Russel J. Roberts, Pharm.D., BCCCP, FCCM

President, Massachusetts Society of Health System Pharmacists