LAW LETS MINNESOTA PHARMACISTS TREAT PATIENTS

ROSEVILLE, Minn. -- Pharmacists in Minnesota will be able to take a more active role in treating their patients' conditions under the recently enacted Minnesota Pharmacy Practice Act Amendments, supported by the Minnesota Pharmacies Association here.

irst dose of a patient's medication (insulin for a diabetic, for example) and in medical emergencies.

The bill's supporters said the legislation would reduce unnecessary office visits. A half-dozen pharmacy organizations led by the MPA backed the legislation and determined the appropriate language for the bill by looking at models in other states, according to William E. Bond, MPA executive vice president and chief executive officer.

Asked if there was a heightened fear of liability among pharmacists, Bond said, "There's always that risk, and it's a concern that has been expressed." He added, however, that most pharmacists welcome the opportunity to do better patient care and to work closely with physicians.

Bond added that reimbursement to pharmacists for patient-care services was not addressed by the bill but would be worked out once consistency in application of the law was established.