RALEIGH, N.C. — A new bill making its way through the North Carolina Senate is looking to expand the role of pharmacists when it comes to influenza and strep throat.
Senate Bill 335 aims to allow pharmacists to test and treat flu and strep throat.
Currently, patients must first go to a doctor’s office, urgent care, or emergency room to be diagnosed and prescribed medication.
Republican State Senator Benton Sawrey spoke on the bill Wednesday in the Senate Health Committee, noting the bill would speed up the time it takes to get medicine to those in need.
“The average weight time to see a family physician in the United States is about 20 days,” shared Sawrey. “This bill cuts out that time and gives you direct access to retail or community pharmacies.”
