2010 Public Policy Agenda Items
Epilepsy Patient Protection Act (EPPA)
The Epilepsy Patient Protection Act was introduced to the Minnesota State Legislator in 2009 to obtain chief authors and start the process for making all legislators aware of the issues that affect people with seizures and those that care for them. During the 2009 session EFM was able to secure chief authors in both the house and the senate to present the bill in 2010.
In February of 2010 the bill was introduced in the house and senate committees where it experienced some stiff opposition. Due to a wonderful day at the capitol, with over 100 advocates telling their stories, the bill received many more supporters.
Although it was passed in both committees it was given a fiscal note which would make it difficult to pass and be signed by the governor. EFM then met with the board of pharmacy to settle on some compromising language that would aid the bill in passing. A compromise was reached and with another slight change in the language EFM was able to move to the next step with no opposition. EFM feels that with the new language. there will be a positive result in passing the bill this year. The new language is:
(d) Substitution; rules. If the United States Food and Drug Administration determines that the substitution of drugs used for the treatment of epilepsy or seizures poses a health risk to patients, the board shall adopt rules in accordance with accompanying FDA interchangeability standards regarding the use of substitution for these drugs. If the board adopts a rule regarding the substitution of drugs used for the treatment of epilepsy or seizures that conflicts with the substitution requirements of section 151.21, subdivision 3, the rule shall supersede the conflicting statute.
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Driving Rule Change
The Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota, together with the Professional Advisory Board has been working to change the current Minnesota Driving Rule. The current rule requires individuals to be six months seizure free before driving. We are working to change the driving rule to three months seizure free. Currently, the Department of Vehicle Services has an open comment period and we are waiting for the Notice of Intent to Adopt Rules where there will be a second comment period. For more information about the driving rule change, please call Vicki Kopplin, Associate Executive, at 651.287.2314. |
