Automated pharmacies proposed for long-term care facilities

The Health and Human Services Committee heard testimony Feb. 1 on a bill that would allow automated pharmacies to operate in long-term care facilities.

Under LB326, introduced by Omaha Sen. Sara Howard, the pharmacist would be in charge of the retail pharmacy that owns and registers the automated medication system and the inventory used in the long-term care automated pharmacy.

The state has over 400 long-term care facilities, Howard said, and on-site automated medication systems would help them operate more efficiently.

Larry Johnson, director of government relations for the Golden Living Center, testified in support of the bill, saying the automated systems reduce the patients’ medication dispensing time by up to four hours.

Furthermore, he said, dispensing medication in single doses rather than the current 30-day supply reduces waste by 25- to -30 percent.

No one testified in opposition and the committee took no immediate action on the bill.