The Senate Health and Human Services Committee signed off on a bill Tuesday that would allow patients to bypass insurance policies requiring them to try cheaper drugs before moving on to more expensive ones. 

The committee unanimously approved the legislation requiring insurers, pharmacy benefit managers and utilization review organizations to have exceptions for step therapy protocols.

Lawmakers also approved bills that would:

·     allow properly trained pharmacists to immunize patients younger than six who have a prescription for a vaccine.

·     allow Wisconsin to continue to participate in a an interstate licensure compact that lets doctors more easily practice in other states.

·     eliminate a law requiring distributors that provide patients with in-home dialysis supplies to obtain pharmacist licenses.