Latebreakers: Prospects unclear for pharmacy legislation

Several new bills that may impact R.Ph.s have been introduced lately, though it is not clear whether any of them will actually be signed into law. Hoping to address the AMP rule, bipartisan bills have been introduced in the Senate and House. NCPA, NACDS, and PCMA have expressed their strong support for the bills, although no action had been taken by the August recess. In addition to concerns over the AMP rule, pharmacy groups have been lobbying for a delay or change in the October implementation of a new rule requiring tamper-resistant Rx pads. An attempt was made to add an amendment to the must-pass State Children's Health Insurance Program legislation in the Senate, but that failed. A bill delaying the rule has already been introduced in the House, but no action is expected on any of the bills any time soon.