HB577 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Greg Wren

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians supervised by pharmacist, appropriately trained, authorized to provide therapeutic diabetic shoes and inserts

Summary

HB577 would let trained, licensed pharmacists or trained, registered pharmacy technicians provide therapeutic diabetic shoes and inserts under direct supervision of a pharmacist.

What This Bill Does

The bill authorizes appropriately trained pharmacists or trained pharmacy technicians to supply therapeutic diabetic shoes and inserts under direct pharmacist supervision, even while complying with other prosthetics and orthotics laws. It defines what counts as appropriately trained, listing several training paths such as approved orthotics/prosthetics education, manufacturer fitting courses, certification programs recognized by national bodies, or Alabama-specific continuing education. It also specifies the medical supply codes used to describe these diabetic shoes and inserts (A5500, A5510, A5512, A5513). The act would take effect on the first day of the third month after it becomes law.

Who It Affects

• Licensed pharmacists in Alabama and registered pharmacy technicians who complete an approved training program, enabling them to provide therapeutic diabetic shoes and inserts under direct supervision.
• Diabetic patients who need therapeutic shoes or inserts and may receive these products through pharmacies supervised by a pharmacist.

Key Provisions

• Allows appropriately trained licensed pharmacists or appropriately trained registered pharmacy technicians, under direct supervision of a pharmacist, to provide therapeutic diabetic shoes and inserts.
• Defines 'appropriately trained' as meeting one of several training options: NC Orthotic and Prosthetic Education course, an approved manufacturer training course, a nationally recognized orthotic/prosthetic certification or accreditation program recognized by the NCCA, or a continuing education course offered by the Alabama Pharmacy Association or the Alabama Board of Pharmacy.
• Defines 'therapeutic diabetic shoes and inserts' using HCPCS codes A5500, A5510, A5512, and A5513 with specific diabetic-focused descriptions for each code.
• States the act is not limited by the Prosthetics and Orthotics Act or certain other Alabama code sections, clarifying its scope within the state's health care framework.
• Effective date: becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval (or upon becoming law).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Pharmacists