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SF 117

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

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kevin Alons and 10 co-sponsors

Protects pharmacists and practitioners from employer limits that block professional judgment and from discipline when acting within the bill’s scope; defines who qualifies.

Committee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 313.
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Bill Summary · SF 117

Summary: SF 117 (Renumbered SF 313) – Prescribing, Ordering, Dispensing, and Administering Authority of Pharmacists and Practitioners

Overview

SF 117, introduced January 23, 2025, seeks to clarify and expand the prescribing, ordering, dispensing, and administering authority of pharmacists and practitioners in Iowa. The bill has advanced through the committee process and, in a committee report dated February 13, 2025, was renumbered as SF 313. The bill is sponsored by a broad group of legislators.

What the Bill Would Do

  • Protect professional judgment against employer restrictions. Any restriction by an employer of a pharmacist or practitioner that prevents the use of a medication or treatment in accordance with the pharmacist’s or practitioner’s best professional judgment would be unenforceable. Such restrictions could not form the basis for disciplinary action by the employer.
  • Shield practitioners/pharmacists from discipline when acting within scope. A pharmacist or practitioner who uses a medication or treatment in line with their best professional judgment and within the scope defined by the bill would not be subject to licensee discipline.
  • Clarify who is a pharmacist or practitioner. The bill defines:
    • Pharmacist: 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 other licensed or registered individuals authorized to prescribe, distribute, or dispense a prescription drug or device, either in Iowa or licensed in another state where Iowa licensees may legally prescribe drugs.

Key Provisions (Based on the Introduced Version)

  • Prohibits employer-imposed constraints that block the pharmacist’s or practitioner’s best professional judgment.
  • Prohibits disciplinary action by an employer solely for acting within the bill’s scope and professional judgment.
  • Officially defines “pharmacist” and “practitioner” with an expanded list of qualifying roles and credentials.
  • Clarifies cross-state licensing relevance for practitioners who practice in Iowa or are licensed in another state for prescribing activities.

Who Is Affected

  • Pharmacists and practitioners who prescribe, order, dispense, or administer medications or devices.
  • Employers (e.g., health systems, clinics, pharmacies) that currently impose policies restricting professional judgment.
  • Health-lcare professionals within the scope of Iowa law who are authorized to prescribe or administer prescription drugs or devices.

Procedural and Timeline Highlights

  • Introduced: January 23, 2025.
  • Subcommittee: Campbell, Garrett, and Petersen (January 30, 2025) with a meeting notice for February 4, 2025.
  • Subcommittee action: Recommendations for passage (February 4, 2025).
  • Committee action: Committee report approving the bill and renumbering as SF 313 (February 13, 2025).
  • Next steps: If advanced, SF 313 would proceed through further legislative stages per Iowa procedural rules.

Sponsors

  • Primary sponsors include EVANS, GUTH, ROWLEY, CAMPBELL, ALONS, LOFGREN, SALMON, GREEN, TAYLOR, WESTRICH, and PIKE.

Potential Impact

  • Strengthens protection for clinicians exercising professional judgment in pharmacologic treatment.
  • Aligns employer policies with professional standards, reducing potential disciplinary risk when decisions fall within approved scope.
  • May influence workforce policy, including contracts and employee handbooks, by invalidating restrictive terms that conflict with the bill’s protections.

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

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