U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) recently unveiled legislation that aims to encourage the adoption of drug-compounding automation technology that would help hospitals and health systems treating Medicare patients avoid expensive medication errors and promote patient safety.
“Too often, we hear about avoidable medication errors that put patients’ safety at risk,” Rep. Kelly said, adding that the bill “takes an important step toward easing burdens on pharmacy and hospital staff, ultimately leading to improvements in care and cost for patients.”
The Safer Compounding in Hospitals Act of 2024, H.R. 8749, which Rep. Kelly sponsored on June 14, would establish a budget-neutral program within Medicare to incentivize the preparation and compounding of intravenous (IV) drugs for Medicare beneficiaries in the inpatient hospital setting, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmaker’s staff.
H.R. 8749 also would equip hospitals with onsite solutions to mitigate critical drug shortages that threaten to limit medical procedures and would help hospital pharmacies bridge gaps in their workforces, the summary says.
The measure has garnered support from the THRIV Coalition for IV Accuracy and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.
“I look forward to working with my fellow colleagues on bolstering our healthcare system through critical legislation such as this bill,” said Rep. Kelly.