Physician dispensing bill

Dr. Bob Deuell, state senator from Greenville, wants physicians to be able to dispense drugs from their offices. He's likely to ask the Senate to suspend its rules so his bill can be brought up for a vote today.

Call your senator ASAP and urge him/her to vote NO on suspending the rules for SB 546.

The many reasons to vote against SB 546 are blatantly obvious. Here are the four most important reasons to vote against this bill:

• It's a conflict of interest for physicians to sell the very drugs they prescribe.
• Physician offices do not meet the stringent operation guidelines set by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy for the facility or for personnel.
• SB 546 is not necessary. Provisions in the Medical Practices Act and Pharmacy Practices Act already exist to all physicians in underserved areas to dispense medications (Sec. 563.053).
• All pharmacy organizations plus workers' comp insurance companies and the Texas Association of Business are opposed to this bill. Even Texas Medical Association is not supporting it.

Your calls really get their attention. Call ASAP and ask your staff and family to do the same.

Call Lt. Gov. Dewhurst first: (512) 463-0001

Find your senator's phone number here.

Click here to send us information about your calls. We need to know which senators are being responsive to their constituents.

Executive Director

 Richard E. Beck, RPh