By Angela Hatton
Frankfort, KY – Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear has signed a bill that will allow pharmacists to prescribe medications during disasters. The new law allows the governor to give Kentucky pharmacists limited prescribing powers during declared states of emergency. Pharmacists can dispense up to 30 days of medications, not including controlled substances, and set up temporary dispensary sites. Kentucky Pharmacists Association Executive Director Brad Hall says last year's ice storm prompted the legislation. Hall says many Kentuckians had difficulty accessing prescription refills. Representative Mike Cherry of Princeton and several western Kentucky representatives sponsored the measure.