Committee approves bill that would codify rules for pharmaceutical services in nursing homes
NEW JERSEY – The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee advanced legislation this week sponsored by Senator Robert Singer that would codify Department of Health regulations for pharmaceutical services in nursing homes.
“This legislation will help to prevent conflicts of interest when it comes to the pharmaceutical industry and nursing homes,” said Singer (R-30). “This is especially important since residents in long-term care facilities often have complex health conditions and comorbidities that require ongoing medical management with prescriptions drugs.”
Under Singer’s bill, S-1965, and current regulations, each long-term care facility is to have a consultant pharmacist and either a provider pharmacist or, if the facility has an in-house pharmacy, a director of pharmaceutical services.
The bill and current regulations also provide that each long-term care facility is to have an interdisciplinary pharmacy and therapeutics committee, appointed by and reporting to the administrator of the facility and consisting of at least the administrator, a representative of the nursing staff, and the facility’s consultant pharmacist, with oversight as needed by the facility’s medical director.
