The hearing for HB2157 was opened.

Carly Choi, Revisor of Statutes, provided an overview of HB2157.

Ms. Choi responded to questions from the committee.

John Monroe, on behalf of Kansas Association of Chain Drug Stores, provided testimony in support of HB2157 (Attachment 2). Member pharmacies employ more than 32,000 Kansans and operate over 500 pharmacy locations throughout the state. The bill will expand pharmacists' scope of practice to include point-of-care testing and treatment of Covid 19 under a state protocol. Community pharmacists play a critical role in healthcare access especially in rural areas where urgent care services may be non-existent and same day primary care appointments are often available. When Kansas adopted test-to-treat authority in 2022, the exclusion of Covid 19 was understandable due to federal emergency authorities in place at the time. The federal authorities have since expired. This gap in services is addressed in the bill. HB2157 is a common sense, patient centered update that aligns Kansas law with current diagnostic technology, federal realities and real world health care needs.

Mr. Monroe responded to questions from the committee.

Nate Wiehl, Director of Clinical Services, Auburn Pharmacies, provided testimony in support of HB2157 (Attachment 3). Prompt treatment of influenza and Covid 19 is vital to improve outcomes. Guidelines for Covid call for treatment within 72 hours of the onset of symptoms. As symptoms start mild testing might not occur until 24 to 48 hours after onset. Many rural areas have no urgent care services. The choices are then the primary care provider or an emergency room visit. Pharmacists are already doing some testing. Adding Covid to the list just makes sense. Testing for Covid is not new to pharmacists as it was previously allowed under federal regulation. We are seeking to ensure that high risk patients who do need Paxlovid or Lagevrio can ask for it during the time when they will be effective.

Mr. Wiehl responded to questions from the committee.

Written only proponent testimony provided by:

Alexandra Blasi, Executive Secretary, Kansas Board of Pharmacy (Attachment 4)

William Wilk, Senior Director of Government Affairs, Kansas Chamber (Attachment 5)

Ryan Irsik, Director, Public Affairs and State and Local Government Relations, Walmart (Attachment 6)

Rachelle Colombo, Executive Director, Kansas Medical Society, provided opposition testimony on HB2157 (Attachment 7). The bill would authorize the state Collaborative Drug Therapy Management Advisory Committee to adopt a statewide protocol for Covid 19. Over the counter testing for Covid is widely available and affordable. Most individuals do not require treatment unless they are a high risk patient with co-morbidities that could be life threatening without proper treatment from a trained physician. The bill is unnecessary and opens the door to substandard care of high risk patients.

Ms. Colombo responded to questions from the committee.

Written only opponent testimony provided by:

Beth Oiler, President, Kansas Academy of Family Physicians (Attachment 8)

The hearing on HB2157 was closed.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:58 PM.