Iowa House approves tele-pharmacy bill

The Iowa House of Representatives approved a bill Wednesday that would make it easier for rural towns to set up tele-pharmacies.

Some small communities, including Zearing, have tested the technology-enabled pharmacies in an effort to bring services to rural and underserved areas.

A video screen is set up at a brick-and-mortar location that allows customers to interact with pharmacists working elsewhere in the state. The pharmacists are able to explain how to take medications and address customer questions while an on-site pharmacy technician can fill prescriptions and interact with individuals face-to-face.

Senate File 453 was passed last spring by the Iowa Senate and was unanimously approved by the House Wednesday. It would allow state pharmacy regulators to routinely approve tele-pharmacies instead of handling them as limited pilot projects.

"It's a great bill because there are communities that want this that are underserved," said Rep. Brian Best, R-Glidden, who managed the bill on the floor.

The House amended the legislation to ensure that a tele-pharmacy couldn't be set up within 10 miles of an existing pharmacy.

"The whole bill was made for places where there's a pharmacy need," he said. "So that's really all we want to do with this bill is take care of those communities."

Best said there are nearly 80 Iowa communities that would be eligible, and those that are not could still seek a waiver form the state pharmacy board.

The bill heads back to the Senate where Best said he expects it to be approved.