On Sunday October 8th, Governor Gavin Newsom signed The Medication Error Reduction and Patient Safety Act (AB 1286) into law. AB 1286 will begin to alleviate the chronic understaffing of pharmacies and pharmacist burnout that puts patients at risk of medication errors.
AB 1286 ensures pharmacists will have the staffing they need to prevent against medication errors and pharmacists can have the time to give patients the level of care they deserve. UFCW member pharmacists and pharmacy technicians know this bill will keep California’s patients safe and applaud the signing of this bill into law.
The Medication Error Reduction and Patient Safety Act will:
- Establish a first-in-the-nation mandatory anonymous reporting of medication errors to an independent third-party approved by the Board of Pharmacy
- Provide minimum staffing for pharmacists who work alone by requiring a technician or clerk to assist the pharmacist from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Give the Board of Pharmacy authority to issue a cease and desist order within 24 hours if the Board determines the conditions in the pharmacy present an immediate risk of death, illness, or irreparable harm for patients, personnel, and pharmacy staff
- Require closures of the pharmacy for lunch breaks where staffing doesn’t overlap