Governor Hobbs Signs "Test and Treat" Legislation Into Law
Senate Bill 1713 allows pharmacists to independently prescribe for flu, strep, COVID-19, and HIV PrEP, despite ArMA's multi-year opposition over patient safety and care coordination concerns.
SB1713 Signed After Multi-Year Fight
After a multi-year fight against "Test and Treat" legislation, Governor Katie Hobbs has signed SB1713 (pharmacists; independent testing; treatment) into law. The legislation will allow pharmacists to prescribe specified medications for:
- Flu
- Strep
- COVID-19
- HIV PrEP
ArMA's Position on Physician-Led Care
While pharmacists play a critical role on the healthcare team, ArMA has long maintained that diagnosis and treatment decisions are best made within a physician-led care model that considers a patient's full medical history, co-morbidities, medications, and ongoing care needs.
ArMA remains concerned that expanding independent practice authority without equivalent medical training may:
- Increase fragmentation of care
- Create challenges in care coordination
- Potentially compromise patient safety
ArMA's Advocacy Moving Forward
As the law is implemented, ArMA will continue advocating for policies that strengthen team-based care, preserve physician oversight of medical decision-making, and ensure that Arizona patients receive the highest standard of coordinated, comprehensive care.
