HB 1323

Abstract

Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians; initiation of treatment with and dispensing and administration of vaccines. Allows pharmacists and pharmacy technicians acting under the supervision of a pharmacist to initiate treatment with and dispense and administer vaccines for COVID-19, nicotine replacement and other tobacco cessation therapies, and tests for COVID-19 and other coronaviruses to persons aged 18 years and older and vaccines included on the Immunization Schedule published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and vaccines for COVID-19 and tests for COVID-19 and other coronaviruses to persons three years of age or older in accordance with a statewide protocol established by the Board of Medicine in collaboration with the Board of Pharmacy and the Department of Health. The bill also directs the Board of Medicine, in collaboration with the Board of Pharmacy and the Department of Health to develop such statewide protocol by November 1, 2022, and directs the Board of Pharmacy to adopt emergency regulations to implement the provisions of the bill. The bill also provides that when services related to the initiation of treatment with or dispensing or administration of a vaccination by a pharmacist, pharmacy technician, or pharmacy intern provided for by the state plan for medical assistance services are provided in accordance with the provisions of the bill, the Department of Medical Assistance Services shall provide reimbursement for such services. Finally, the bill provides that provisions related to administration of COVID-19 vaccines to and testing for COVID-19 of minors shall become effective upon the expiration of the provisions of the federal Declaration Under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act for Medical Countermeasures Against COVID-19 related to the administration of COVID-19 vaccines to and testing for COVID-19 of minors. This bill is identical to SB 672.

Pharmacists; initiation of treatment with and dispensing and administration of vaccines. Provides that a pharmacist may initiate treatment with, dispense, or administer to persons five years of age or older in accordance with a statewide protocol developed by the Board of Pharmacy in collaboration with the Board of Medicine and the Department of Health vaccines authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and provides that the pharmacist may cause such vaccines to be administered by a pharmacy technician or pharmacy intern under the direct supervision of the pharmacist. The bill also requires the Department of Medical Assistance Services and accident and sickness insurance providers to provide reimbursement for such service in an amount that is no less than the reimbursement amount for such service by a health care provider licensed by the Board of Medicine. The bill also requires the Board of Pharmacy, together with the Board of Medicine and the Department of Health, to establish a statewide protocol for the initiation of treatment with and dispensing and administering of drugs in accordance with the provisions of the bill and directs the Board of Pharmacy to establish a work group to provide recommendations regarding development of the protocols and to adopt regulations to implement the provisions of the bill within 280 days. The provisions of the bill authorizing administration of certain vaccinations by pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy interns shall become effective upon the expiration of the federal public health emergency related to COVID-19.

Pharmacists; initiation of treatment with anddispensing and administration of vaccines. Provides that a pharmacistmay initiate treatment with, dispense, or administer to persons three years of age or older in accordance with a statewide protocol developedby the Board of Pharmacy in collaboration with the Board of Medicineand the Department of Health vaccines included on the ImmunizationSchedule published by the Centers for Disease Control and Preventionor that have a current emergency use authorization from the U.S.Food and Drug Administration, and provides that the pharmacist may cause such vaccines to be administered by a pharmacy technician orpharmacy intern under the direct supervision of the pharmacist. Thebill also requires the Department of Medical Assistance Servicesand accident and sickness insurance providers to provide reimbursementfor such service in an amount that is no less than the reimbursementamount for such service by a health care provider licensed by theBoard of Medicine.