Law still not passed

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

died in 2006, but the law introduced in July and in December for

Ohio legislation is still not passed.

http://www.news-herald.com/site/news.cfm?dept_id=21849 & PAG=461 & newsid=19093258

Concord couple on a mission

Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@...

12/07/2007

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Couple lobby to increase pharmacy technician standards after mistake

cost their daughter her life

A Concord Township couple, whose daughter died in February 2006 after

she received an incorrect dosage of medication for cancer treatment,

is working with a state lawmaker to help raise standards for pharmacy

technicians.

and Jerry, who lost their 2-year-old daughter , spoke

this week in Columbus at an Ohio Senate Health and Human Services

Committee hearing for Senate Bill 203.

The legislation is sponsored by state Sen. Tim Grendell, R-Chester

Township.

was undergoing her final cancer treatment when a pharmacy

technician mistakenly gave her a saline drop that contained 23 times

the amount of sodium that was needed.

The Jerrys said their family was destroyed by the incident.

" beat her cancer only to suffer a horrifically painful death, "

the two parents said in a statement.

" The measures included in S.B. 203 will not bring our daughter back,

but it is our hope that they help prevent another senseless tragedy by

reducing unnecessary risks. "

Grendell said S.B. 203 would ensure pharmacy technicians have the

training and experience to properly and safely dispense medications to

patients.

" I can't even begin to imagine what and Jerry have gone

through, losing their daughter, but I thank and applaud them for their

efforts in bringing this issue to my attention and the work they have

already done to garner support for this legislation, " the state

senator added.

Anyone wanting to become a pharmacy technician would have to meet

certain training and certification requirements, according to the

proposed legislation.

Technicians would be required to have a minimum number of training

hours before being able to work independently or receive national

accreditation.

The proposal also gives the Ohio Pharmacy Board the authority to

monitor and regulate technicians.

Grendell's legislation also would limit the number of technicians able

to work under a single pharmacist in an effort to ensure pharmacists

are able to properly manage and monitor the work of the technicians.

" Every day, Ohioans are served by pharmacy technicians who are not

required to meet even a minimum or basic level of knowledge or

training for their job - even though that job often involves the

preparation of prescription medicine, " he said.

©The News-Herald 2008

Grendell will run for re-election

M. Klepach

SKlepach@...

12/22/2007

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State Sen. Tim Grendell wants a second term.

The Republican from Chester Township filed his petitions Thursday

afternoon with the Lake County Elections Board in the hopes of

doubling his time in office.

" We have accomplished some great things in the last three years, but

there is still work to be done, " he said in a prepared statement Friday.

Amid that work, Grendell said, is an impending resolution to place a

constitutional amendment on the ballot that would reinstate military

service bonuses.

Grendell, 54, serves the 18th Ohio Senate District, which is comprised

of Lake and Geauga counties, as well as Gates Mills, Highland Heights,

Mayfield Village, and Mayfield Heights in Cuyahoga County.

Grendell currently serves as chairman of the Judiciary Criminal

Justice Committee; vice chairman of the State of Local Governmental

and Veterans Affairs Committee; and is a member of the Joint Committee

on Agency Rule Review, the Agriculture Committee, the Environmental

Natural Resources Committee, the Ohio Sentencing Commission and the

Correctional Institution Inspection Committee.

Before his election in November 2004, Grendell served four years as

Geauga County's state representative.

Grendell has law degrees from the University of Virginia and Case

Western Reserve, was admitted in 1978 to practice law in Ohio, and

prosecuted 67 criminal cases as a captain and prosecutor in the Army

JAG Corp. with the 2nd Armored Division.

" Our children and communities need to be safe, " he said.

" Success in the legislature isn't just about what we do. Sometimes it

is about what we prevent.

Among his accomplishments during his first term, Grendell listed his

sponsorship and passage of comprehensive eminent domain reform;

introduction and passage from the Senate of legislation to take repeat

drunk drivers off the road; introduction of 's Law; and

sponsorship of legislation to ensure the state's military return home

to the proper resources.

" Together we have accomplished many great things, and there is no

reason why we should stop now, " the state senator said.

Grendell currently faces no opposition in the March 4 primary, but the

filing deadline is Jan. 4.

©The News-Herald 2008

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?dept_id=21849 & PAG=461 & newsid=19138083