[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 52 (Thursday, March 16, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14288-14289]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-6427]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration


Study Regarding Shortages of Licensed Pharmacists

AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The ``Healthcare Research and Quality Act of 1999'', enacted 
on December 6, 1999, requires the Department of Health and Human 
Services (HHS) to ``conduct a study to determine whether and to what 
extent there is a shortage of licensed pharmacists.'' The Department 
will include in this study a summary of comments from interested public 
and private entities. The Department invites all interested public and 
private entities to submit comments on specific issues, including data 
and studies supporting their comments.

DATES: Comments must be submitted by May 1, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Address all comments concerning this notice to Vincent C. 
Rogers, D.D.S., M.P.H., Associate Administrator, Bureau of Health 
Professions, Health Resources and Services Administration, Room 8-05, 
Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20857.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 6, 1999, Congress enacted the 
Healthcare Research and Quality Act of 1999, Pub. L. 106-129, to amend 
title IX of the Public Health Service Act by revising and extending the 
Agency for Healthcare Policy and Research (now referred to as the 
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality). Section 5 of Pub. L. 106-
129 requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), through 
the appropriate agencies of the Public Health Service, to conduct a 
study ``to determine whether and to what extent there is a shortage of 
licensed pharmacists' and to report back to Congress in one year after 
the date of enactment of the Act on its findings.
    A number of associations, such as the National Association of Chain 
Drug Stores, have been voicing concerns that a shortage of pharmacists 
in some areas of the country might create a major health crisis. HHS 
invites comments from public and private sources on the following 
topics related to pharmacy shortages. Please address your comments by 
number as indicated below. You need not address all topics.
    1. Shortage of pharmacists; for example, vacancy rates for 
pharmacists' jobs over time, existing documentation of delayed store 
openings or reduction in store hours, existing documentation of signing 
bonuses and other hiring incentives, and increases in wages;
    2. Difficulties that communities may be experiencing in accessing 
pharmacy services. HHS is particularly interested in difficulties 
confronting those in rural or underserved areas, services for the 
elderly, and other evidence of unmet needs due to a shortage of 
pharmacists;
    3. How pharmacies and employers are addressing a shortage of 
pharmacists;.
    4. The use of technicians, and State laws governing ratios of 
pharmacists to technicians, and limitations on the functions 
technicians are permitted to perform, and any requirements for 
technician certification;
    5. The impact of the growth of managed care and third-party 
coverage of prescriptions on pharmacy practice;

[[Page 14289]]

    6. Problems or adverse events connected with a shortage of 
pharmacists, e.g., medication errors;
    7. The impact a drug benefit for the Medicare population might have 
on prescription volume and the demand for pharmacists;
    8. Uses of automation or technology to assist pharmacists, such as 
the use of electronic transmission of prescriptions, methods of 
streamlining dispensing processes, and technologies that may be under 
development to improve efficiency of pharmacists in their duties;
    9. The impact of Internet and mail order pharmacies on the demand 
for pharmacists; and
    10. Existing information on the current pharmacist education 
process; in particular, applications to pharmacy programs, the impact 
that the shift to the doctor of pharmacy as the first professional 
degree may have on pharmacy supply, trends in graduates taking 
residencies, and students' job preferences.

    Dated: March 9, 2000.
Claude Earl Fox,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 00-6427 Filed 3-15-00; 8:45 am]
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