HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1009
As Passed House:
January 30, 2025
Title: An act relating to the membership of the pharmacy quality assurance commission.
Brief Description: Adjusting the membership of the pharmacy quality assurance commission.
Sponsors: Representatives Low, Ramel and Eslick.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care & Wellness: 1/15/25, 1/17/25 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 1/30/25, 96-0.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Changes the membership of the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by 17 members:Representatives Bronoske, Chair; Lekanoff, Vice Chair; Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; Caldier, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Marshall, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Davis, Engell, Low, Macri, Manjarrez, Obras, Parshley, Shavers, Stonier, Stuebe, Thai and Tharinger.
Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).
Background:

The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) has a variety of functions, including the licensing of pharmacies, pharmacists, pharmacy assistants, and pharmacy technicians and enforcing and regulating legend drugs and controlled substances.  The PQAC consists of the following 15 members, all of whom are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate:

  • ten pharmacist members;
  • four public members; and
  • one pharmacy technician member.

 

The public members must be Washington residents and may not be affiliated with any aspect of pharmacy.
Summary of Bill:

One of the positions on the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission designated for a pharmacist is replaced with a position that may be filled by either:  (1) a pharmacist; or (2) a public member who is an owner, operator, or officer of a pharmacy and who is not a pharmacist or a pharmacy technician.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support)  The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) does important work.  Any Washington resident can be a member except one group.  Owners, operators, or officers of a pharmacy were unintentionally excluded, which excludes an important perspective.  People in this profession have a lot to offer and should be given an opportunity to participate.  This bill will increase fairness by bringing the small business perspective to the PQAC.

 

(Opposed) None. 
Persons Testifying:

Rick Hughes, Ray's Pharmacy, Orcas Island; and Dedi Little, Washington State Pharmacy Association.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.