Sen. Hansell: Give Oregon right to telepharmacy likes other states

By Oregon State Senator Bill Hansell,

Hansell Bill Brings Telepharmacy to Oregon
Senate Bill 629 would increase access to health care for rural Oregonians

ATHENA, Ore. – Oregon is the only state west of Texas that doesn’t allow the practice of telepharamacy. Senator Bill Hansell’s Senate Bill 629 allows the practice in Oregon and expands access to pharmaceutical services to rural, elderly, and disabled Oregonians.

In small cities that cannot support a full-time pharmacist, many residents must travel considerable distances to pick up their prescriptions or depend on others to pick them up for them. This can cause many to either go without their needed medication or have their treatment delayed. SB 629 would allow a pharmacist to consult over electronic means with pharmacy techs to fill prescriptions and communicate with patients.

“The pandemic has made us realize that many services we depend on can be provided online or over the phone,” Senator Hansell (R-Athena). “We can leverage these tools to expand access to health care for rural, elderly, and disabled Oregonians. This is a chance for Oregon to evolve in our delivery of health care.”

SB 629 passed on a 29-1 vote and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

SB 629 summary reads: “Allows pharmacist to use telepharmacy to deliver pharmacy services to patient at remote lo-cation. Defines “telepharmacy.”