Whitmer signs bills to allow remote pharmacies and create statewide mental health hotline

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — People will be able to pick up prescriptions at certain Michigan pharmacies that are not staffed by an on-site pharmacist under legislation signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

The measure enacted last week allows for “remote” pharmacies, which proponents support as a way to expand access to pharmacy services and improve health outcomes in rural and underserved areas. Pharmacists at “parent” pharmacies will be able to use a real-time audio and video link to review a prescription before it is dispensed by pharmacy technicians.

The law takes effect in three months and is backed by major drug distributor Cardinal Health, the Michigan Pharmacists Association, hospitals and other health groups.

A remote pharmacy generally cannot be located within 10 miles of a regular pharmacy, unless it gets a waiver from regulators. A pharmacist can be designated as the pharmacist in charge at three pharmacies, including two he or she could supervise remotely. A remote pharmacy can dispense an average of 150 prescriptions a day.

Michigan will create a statewide mental health hotline under legislation signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

The telephone referral system will be available 24 hours a day, seven days of week and refer people experiencing a mental health crisis to service providers.

A spending law approved in 2018 included $3 million to develop, operate and maintain a hotline pilot program. The new law, which was enacted Monday and takes effect in three months, will expand that program statewide.

Michigan’s 46 Community Mental Health service providers (CMHSPs) and 10 prepaid inpatient health plans already must maintain hotlines intended to address crisis-related calls first.

Whitmer said signing the legislation is “a necessary step towards giving all Michiganders the care they need.”