Illinois

Illinois Legislature Empowers Pharmacists

Published

2 years ago

July 21, 2022

Illinois Legislature Empowers Pharmacists

New state legislation permits dispensation of HIV meds, distribution of fentanyl check strips beginning in 2023.

In April 2022, the Illinois Normal Meeting handed a invoice that permits pharmacists to manage or dispense preventive HIV remedy, and Governor J.B. Pritzker signed it into legislation on June 10, 2022.¹

The legislation can be efficient January 1, 2023.²

Moreover, the Illinois Normal Meeting handed one other invoice concerning fentanyl testing strips, which is a public well being initiative supposed to assist curb the overdose fee related to the unlawful unfold of this drug. Pritzker signed this into legislation on June 2, 2022, and it’s efficient instantly.³

HIV Prevention

Pharmacist authority to dispense has been growing nationally. There’s a pattern throughout the nation that’s broadening pharmacist prescribing authority in quite a lot of therapy settings, with HIV being the latest. Illinois Home Invoice 4430 permits pharmacists to order and conduct testing and dispense pre- and post-exposure HIV drugs to these at excessive threat for HIV an infection. Pharmacists would wish to have a standing order issued by a licensed doctor or county well being division that may enable them to supply take care of the person searching for assist. Nonetheless, as soon as established, the pharmacist is positioned to train impartial skilled judgment in ordering this therapy protocol.¹ The drugs, known as “PrEP” for the preexposure drug and “PEP” for the publish publicity one, purpose to cut back the chance of HIV an infection amongst at-risk people.

The legislation’s chief sponsor was Illinois Senator Mike Simmons of Chicago, who thinks that the measure will cut back ready occasions, offering probably lifesaving care to 1000’s.¹The AIDS Basis Chicago has estimated that roughly 45,000 people reside with HIV/AIDS in Illinois and that 1300 annually study that they’ve AIDS or HIV.⁴

The legislation additionally lays out insurance coverage reimbursement necessities for pharmacists providing the companies. In consequence, pharmacies could be reimbursed by third-party insurers for participating within the provision of such remedy.

All through debate in each chambers of the Illinois Normal Meeting, representatives raised issues about authorized points concerning emancipated minors being allowed to entry such remedy and receiving the remedy on a number of events for their very own private use.⁵ In Illinois, a authorized emancipated minor have to be 16 years or older and have courtroom documentation proving that they’re legally emancipated.⁵ For emancipated people to obtain HIV medical care from pharmacists, they have to present documentation that they’re emancipated, in keeping with Illinois state legislation.⁵

Not all members of the Illinois Normal Meeting supported this initiative.

Some corresponding to Senator Darren Bailey of Xenia thought that the language has “too many loopholes” for minors, whether or not emancipated or not, to go to completely different pharmacies and refill their drugs a number of occasions. Nonetheless, Simmons responded that the remedy has no addictive properties and no antagonistic results. He additionally advocated that people be required to obtain laboratory testing previous to receiving a prescription.⁵

The legislation requires pharmacists to finish a coaching program associated to HIV care earlier than they’ll dispense the medication. People requiring one other prescription for the remedy should receive follow-up lab checks to find out if they’re nonetheless in danger for an infection or are HIV optimistic.⁵

Fentanyl Strips

Along with the HIV legislation, Home Invoice 4556 was handed unanimously by each chambers and signed into legislation by Pritzker. The invoice expands entry for pharmacists and different well being care professionals to distribute fentanyl testing strips to assist cut back opioid overdoses, which have been growing nationally. The testing strips can detect fentanyl in counterfeit medication and drugs.³

The legislation is meant to broaden on the Overdose Prevention and Hurt Discount Act, which was handed in 2019.⁶ That legislation gives for presidency companies and nongovernment entities to create needle-access applications geared toward decreasing HIV and different blood-borne ailments.⁶ The brand new legislation is meant to complement current community-based applications that present a spread of preventive companies, in addition to instructional data on overdose intervention and prevention, monitoring applications for opioids, and protected drug disposal of unused drugs.³ All testing provides for fentanyl are required to be saved in a licensed pharmacy, clinic hospital, or different well being care facility.³ In passing the invoice within the Normal Meeting, Illinois representatives expressed concern that many opioid deaths happen in individuals who didn’t know a further substance had been put into the fentanyl.³ Fentanyl is an artificial opioid by-product that’s not costly and is deadly when ingested in excessive doses.

There have been almost 3000 opioid overdose deaths in 2020—greater than twice the variety of homicides—and almost 20,000 emergency responses to opioid overdoses, in keeping with the Illinois Division of Public Well being.⁷

Each the legal guidelines geared toward stemming the tide of HIV transmission and opioid overdose deaths empower pharmacists to play a big position in addressing these public well being issues. Pharmacies additionally proceed to play a extra central position in affected person entry and well being care and are gaining elevated alternatives to interact in affected person therapy and prescribing.

About The Writer

Ned Milenkovich, PharmD, JD, is chair of well being care apply at A lot Shelist PC in Chicago, Illinois.

References

1. Governor Pritzker indicators payments increasing entry to HIV and AIDS-related care and prevention. Information launch. Workplace of Governor JB Pritzker. June 10, 2022. Accessed July 7, 2022. https://www.illinois.gov/information/pressrelease.25032.html

2. Invoice Standing of HB4430. Illinois Normal Meeting. Accessed
July 7, 2022. https://www.ilga.gov/laws/BillStatus. asp?DocNum=4430&GAID=16&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=110&- GA=102

3. Gov. Pritzker indicators laws to additional fight nationwide opioid disaster. Information launch. Workplace of Governor JB Pritzker. June 2, 2022. Accessed July 7, 2022. https://www.illinois.gov/information/press-release.24995.html

4. About HIV. AIDS Basis Chicago. Accessed July 7, 2022. https://www.aidschicago.org/web page/about-hiv

5. Kinnicutt G. Session Recap: Payments enable pharmacists to manage preventive HIV meds, fentanyl check strips. Capitol Information Illinois. April 14, 2022. Accessed July 7, 2022. https://www.capitolnewsillinois.com/NEWS/session-recap-bills-allow-pharmacists-to-administer-preventive-hiv-meds-fentanyl-test-strips

6. Public Act 101-0356. Illinois Normal Meeting. Accessed July 7, 2022. https://www.ilga.gov/laws/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Identify=101-0356

7. IDPH information. Illinois Division of Public Well being. Accessed July 7, 2022. https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/opioids/idph-data-dashboard.html

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Illinois

Here’s how much snow Springfield got — and when it’ll melt

Published

7 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

Here’s how much snow Springfield got — and when it’ll melt

A blanket of snow covered Springfield late Thursday and early Friday, closing Springfield schools and some offices for a snow day.

Morning traffic appeared to be moving slowly but steadily. Cameras covering major roads in the city showed snow and slush remaining on many city roads but no major slowdowns.

How much snow did Springfield get?

As of 10 a.m., Springfield had seen around 6 to 6.5 inches of snow, according to Angelica Soria, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Springfield office. Southwest Missouri in general got slightly less snow, with reports of 5 to 6 inches.

About another inch of snow was possible in Springfield, according to the National Weather Service, but new accumulation was expected to taper off by noon.

When will the snow melt?

The snow likely won’t stick around long, with a high of 40 expected Saturday. Temperatures are forecast to drop below freezing again Monday before returning to daytime highs in the high-30s and 40s later next week.

While the weather is predicted to warm up this weekend, folks should take care driving when the sun goes down, even if all the snow melts.

“(The snow) will probably start melting during the day tomorrow, but we are worried about the re-freezing on the road, because it will probably get kind of slushy as the plows keep going around trying to get it off the road,” Soria said. “We definitely want to urge people to be careful while traveling … when the sun goes down, it’s harder to see black ice, things like that.”

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Illinois

Waukegan, Illinois city workers suffer electric shock from power lines

Published

16 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

Waukegan, Illinois city workers suffer electric shock from power lines

Two Waukegan, Illinois city workers suffer electric shock

00:15

WAUKEGAN, Ill. (CBS) — Two city workers from Waukegan were rushed to the hospital Thursday morning after they were shocked by power lines.

Firefighters said the workers were trimming trees at Pershing Road and Greenwood Avenue near the Waukegan Generating Station, a now-shuttered coal-fired power plant.

The workers’ crane touched a power line, which energized the truck and gave the workers an electric shock.

A helicopter took one man to the hospital with electrical burns. The other was taken away by ambulance.

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Illinois

Illinois’ important trio that stepped up big time in KJ’s absence

Published

24 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

Illinois’ important trio that stepped up big time in KJ’s absence

A surprise late scratch of a potential top five NBA draft pick like the one of Kasparas Jakucionis prior to Wednesday’s game very well could’ve thrown a wrench in the Illini’s recent momentum.

Or, at the very least, it probably should’ve looked like it had some effect. A 39-point drubbing? A 34-4 first half run? Alright, I guess nothing can slow down this Illini train right now.

Illinois didn’t skip a beat in its second emphatic victory in three games — and a big reason for that was the trio of guys it had step up to pick up the slack for its missing leader.

As read on TCR last night, the Illini made more history on Wednesday. Ben Humrichous, Tre White and Morez Johnson all reached 20 or more points, marking just the third time since the 1938-1939 season that Illinois had three 20-point scorers in the same game.

The individual performances of those three were particularly notable because all three of Humrichous, White and Johnson put up their respective big nights in entirely different ways. And all three used Jakucionis’s absence to send a message about how far they’ve already come just a quarter of the way into conference play.

For Morez Johnson, Wednesday’s 20-point, 11-rebound double-double encapsulated everything he brings to the floor the second he steps on it. It was efficient — done in just 20 minutes — and was the result of his constant energy and activity that found himself around the basket on what felt like every possession.

Johnson’s been perhaps the most consistently impactful producer in the Illini rotation all season. His per-40-minute numbers are absurd — try 14.6 points, 17.7 rebounds and 3.3 blocks. His total rebound rate would rank in the top five nationally if he had the minutes to qualify. He just hasn’t gotten the opportunity to stuff the stat sheet as loudly as he did Wednesday. A well-deserved and long overdue breakout night.

Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images

Ben Humrichous’s explosive first half was the flashiest performance of the night, showcasing the ability to catch fire from deep that has always been there for him despite his December struggles. Humrichous nailed five first half threes and was a big reason the Illini’s lead ballooned in the midst of their dominating scoring run.

The most encouraging sign for Humrichous, though, is the way he’s beginning to diversify his game. Through December, Humrichous had attempted just 12 two-point attempts on the season, pretty much exclusively acting as a spot-up shooter on the perimeter. In just three games in January, Humrichous already has 14 attempts from two.

He flashed the ability to take advantage of mismatches with his size in some Marcus Domask-like mid post isos. He’s also gotten noticeably more aggressive attacking closeouts and finishing with force at the rim when the opportunity presents itself. Pair those things with a season-high 9 rebounds on Wednesday and you’ve finally got the version of Humrichous that makes Illinois its most dangerous self.

And quietly in the midst of everything else came another extremely productive Tre White performance. White reached 20 points and 7 rebounds in a similar manner to most of his recent production — doing a little bit of everything and doing it in a very efficient, inconspicuous manner.

Over the last 7 games, White is now averaging 16.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game on remarkable 63.3% efficiency from the floor. He’s turned himself into a consistent second scoring option alongside Jakucionis when he’s out there while making the types of winning plays that result from competing to win, as Brad Underwood detailed Tuesday.

White has made significant strides in almost every area, from scoring off the dribble to rebounding to the defensive end, and it’s taken Illinois to an entirely different level. Wednesday’s performance showed once again how dangerous he can be when he’s attacking and playing with high energy.

As a whole, the Illini certainly hope they’re without their star player for long. But their response without him — particularly from the Johnson, Humrichous and White trio that will continue to be vital to their success — was a welcome sight.

Illinois proved they have the depth to survive a man down while also showing what things can look like when its complementary pieces are at their best. Right now, it’s hard to imagine anything slowing down the roll these Illini are on.

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