By Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – A new plan at the Illinois Capitol could have consumers waiting longer for their prescriptions.

The idea is simple: make sure pharmacists are’t overworked and that they have time to talk with patients.

The proposed fix isn’t as simple. Rob Karr, head of the Illinois Retail Merchants’ Association, said some lawmakers are pushing a plan backed by the Teamster’s union to limit pharmacists to filling no more than 10 prescriptions per hour. The legislation also mandates pharmacists take an hour-long break each eight-hour shift.

Karr says a 10-script limit might leave patients waiting or without their medicine.

“Let’s assume a pharmacist is on prescription nine, and a mother with two prescriptions comes in, does she have to wait until the next hour?” Karr asked. “What if a cancer patient, who can easily have 10 prescriptions by themselves, walks in and gets them filled. Does that constitute the bulk of the pharmacists’ duties for the next 45 minutes?”

There also are concerns about small town and inner city pharmacies that only have one pharmacist on staff.

Karr says the proposal is an attempt by the Teamsters to get from the legislature what they cannot get on their own.