Relating to the ordering, administering, and dispensing of point-of-care HIV-related tests and prophylaxis drugs by a pharmacist

This bill relates to the ordering, administering, and dispensing of point-of-care HIV-related tests and prophylaxis drugs by a pharmacist. The bill provides that in accordance with statewide protocols developed by the board of pharmacy (board) in consultation with the department of health and human services, a pharmacist may order and administer a point-of-care HIV-related test and order, administer, or dispense HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis or HIV post-exposure prophylaxis. A pharmacist offering services under the bill shall: maintain a record of all point-of-care HIV-related tests and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis or HIV post-exposure prophylaxis administered; notify the patient’s primary health care provider of tests or prophylaxis administered or enter such information in a patient record system also used by the primary health care provider, as permitted by the primary health care provider; if the patient does not have a primary health care provider, provide the patient with a written record of the tests or prophylaxis provided, and advise the patient to consult a physician; and complete continuing pharmacy education related to the statewide protocols. The bill also requires that if a health benefit plan provides for payment or reimbursement for a service that is within the lawful scope of practice of a practitioner or a pharmacist, and a service is provided by a pharmacist pursuant to a statewide protocol under the bill, the health carrier shall provide payment or reimbursement for the service. The bill provides definitions of terms used in the bill including “health benefit plan”, “health carrier”, “HIV”, and “HIV-related test”.