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SF 313

A bill for an act relating to the prescribing, ordering, dispensing, and administering authority of pharmacists and practitioners.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Protects pharmacists and practitioners from employer policies that deter care within their legal scope; makes such restrictions unenforceable and shields clinicians from discipline.

Referred to Health and Human Services.
#drugs #health-relatedprofessions #pharmacy #prescriptiondrugs #professionallicensure
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Bill Summary · SF 313

Summary of SF 313 (Introduced Feb. 13, 2025)

SF 313 is a bill addressing the prescribing, ordering, dispensing, and administering authority of pharmacists and practitioners, with a focus on protecting professional judgment from employer-imposed restrictions that deter appropriate care. The bill is currently referred to Health and Human Services.

Purpose and intent

  • Clarify that pharmacist and practitioner authority to prescribe, dispense, or administer medications is subject to the professional judgment of the provider and the restrictions of law governing scope of practice.
  • Protect clinicians from employer policies, contracts, or handbooks that unduly deter them from using medications or treatments within their legally permitted scope and best professional judgment.
  • Ensure that employing organizations cannot discipline providers for exercising professional judgment that aligns with the provider’s scope of practice and applicable law.

Key provisions (highlights)

  • Employer restrictions that deter a pharmacist or practitioner from using a medication or treatment in accordance with their best professional judgment, when within the scope of practice and the law, are prohibited.
  • Any employer restriction documented in a contract, handbook, amendment, or by other means that violates the bill is unenforceable and cannot form the basis for disciplinary action by the employer.
  • A pharmacist or practitioner who uses a medication or treatment in accordance with their best professional judgment and within their scope of practice, as restricted by law, shall not be subject to licensee discipline.
  • Definitions:
    • “Pharmacist” means a person licensed by the Iowa Board of Pharmacy to practice pharmacy.
    • “Practitioner” includes physicians, dentists, podiatric physicians, prescribing psychologists, veterinarians, optometrists, physician assistants, advanced registered nurse practitioners, or any other person licensed or registered to prescribe, distribute, or dispense a prescription drug or device in Iowa, or a person licensed in another state in a health field eligible for prescribing drugs under Iowa law.

Who is affected

  • Pharmacists and other licensed or registered health professionals authorized to prescribe, distribute, or dispense prescription drugs or devices (as defined by the bill).
  • Employers, including health systems, clinics, and other workplaces, through their contracts, handbooks, and workplace policies.
  • State licensing and regulatory bodies, which oversee scope-of-practice and disciplinary actions.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: February 13, 2025.
  • Initial status: Placed on the calendar, with a committee report approving the bill on February 13, 2025.
  • Legislative action: On June 16, 2025, SF 313 was referred to the Health and Human Services committee for consideration.
  • This update indicates ongoing consideration within the applicable policy committee.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Clinician autonomy: Strengthens the ability of pharmacists and practitioners to act in accordance with best professional judgment without fear of employer-imposed penalties.
  • Patient care: Could improve consistency of care by ensuring that clinical decisions align with professional standards and legal scope.
  • Employment policies: May require employers to review and potentially modify contracts, handbooks, or internal policies to ensure compliance with the bill.
  • Enforcement: The bill creates a framework for nondisciplinary action when professionals act within lawful scope and professional judgment; implementation would depend on subsequent regulatory guidance or rulemaking.

For readers seeking specifics, the bill references Iowa Code §155A.3 for the definitions of “pharmacist” and “practitioner.”

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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