Wisconsin creates remote-dispensing law to ease pharmacist shortage

As some states struggle with pharmacist shortages, the problem can be especially difficult to resolve for isolated, rural areas. Wisconsin has created a new law this year aimed at bringing pharmacy services to remote stretches of the state through the practice of remote dispensing. “The intent here is that pharmacy service can be increased to underserved areas, which right now may be suffering from pharmacy shortage,” said Bill Black, legal counsel for the Wisconsin Pharmacy Examining Board. The details of the law have yet to be written. The pharmacy board will examine a series of pilot programs over the next two years. Specific regulations for the law will be based on the procedures developed during the test programs, Black said. Parts of northern Wisconsin—and even some urban areas—have little access to pharmacy services. In some cases, the entire health care system consists of a clinic with a physician and a nurse.