HB0197 Summary

• Requires at least one registered pharmacy technician on duty whenever a pharmacy operates and mandates 10 pharmacy technician hours per 100 prescriptions filled.

• Limits pharmacies to filling no more than 10 prescriptions per hour.

• Prohibits pharmacies from requiring pharmacists to participate in advertising or activities that jeopardize patient health or interfere with professional services, and limits pharmacist work to 8 hours per workday.

• Requires pharmacies to provide pharmacists with two 15-minute paid breaks and one 30-minute meal period per shift of 7+ hours, with penalties of 3 times regular hourly pay for violations, and mandates a break room with adequate seating.

• Establishes whistleblower protections for pharmacy employees who report violations, with remedies including reinstatement, two times back pay, attorney's fees, and requires pharmacies to maintain records of all prescription errors.