Pharmacy Times   Reps Steven LaTourette (R, OH) and Stephen
Lynch (D, MA) have introduced sweeping federal legislation that
will mandate training, education, registration, and
certification requirements for pharmacy technicians nationwide.
Also known as "Emily's Act," named after a 2-year-old Ohio
resident who died in 2006 after a pharmacy technician made an
error with her chemotherapy dose, HR 5491 will set a floor for
states to meet but will not weaken any state laws, according to
the bill's sponsors. Currently, states oversee pharmacists and
technicians, but regulations regarding training, certification,
and continuing education vary from state to state.  The bill,
which has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce
Committee, would require states to register pharmacy technicians
and have them pass the national Pharmacy Technician Board
Certification exam, which triggers mandatory continuing
education and renewal every 2 years. The bill also would provide
grants to states to comply with the act, and