Ohio toughens state laws for pharmacy technicians

— -- Inspired by the memory of a 2-year-old girl who died from a prescription error, Ohio lawmakers gave final legislative approval Tuesday to a law that would require pharmacy technicians to meet minimum safety standards.

Emily Jerry, undergoing treatment for a grapefruit-sized tumor, died in March 2006 after a pharmacy technician at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland mixed a chemotherapy drug with a saline solution that contained 26 times more salt than the normal amount.

The hospital pharmacist failed to detect the error.

Emily's death three days after the mistake prompted her parents to seek tougher legal standards for pharmacy technicians, the employees typically responsible for keying prescriptions into computers, checking prescribed dosages and placing medications in drug vials or containers.

"I wanted to establish a minimum level of competency for pharmacy technicians," said state Sen. Timothy Grendell, the measure's chief sponsor. "Under current Ohio law, we haven't had that. You just have to be over 18 and show up, and you can go right to work."

After what Grendell said is an expected bill-signing by Gov. Ted Strickland, pharmacy technicians would be required to have a high school diploma or the equivalent, submit to a criminal background check and pass a pharmacy proficiency exam. They would also be required to wear technician identification while working in a pharmacy. Violations could result in criminal penalties for the technician and employer, Grendell said.

"I'm thrilled. We'll start the new year with a new law and people will be protected," Kelly Jerry, Emily's mother, said after Tuesday's vote. "Hopefully, what happened to Emily will never happen again to anyone else."

She and Grendell credited a USA TODAY series about prescription errors published in February and a subsequent story about Emily's death with helping draw attention to the legal crusade.

"The stories were very helpful in getting everyone to understand the safety issues involved," said Grendell. "That's probably why we had no rough waters with the final vote."