Pennsylvania Act 2015-8 — PHARMACY ACT - AUTHORITY TO ADMINISTER INJECTABLE MEDICATIONS, BIOLOGICALS AND IMMUNIZATIONS

Act text

Session of 2015

No. 2015-8

HB 182

AN ACT

Amending the act of September 27, 1961 (P.L.1700, No.699), entitled "An act relating to the regulation of the practice of pharmacy, including the sales, use and distribution of drugs and devices at retail; and amending, revising, consolidating and repealing certain laws relating thereto," further providing for the authority to administer injectable medications, biologicals and immunizations.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Section 9.2 of the act of September 27, 1961 (P.L.1700, No.699), known as the Pharmacy Act, added June 29, 2002 (P.L.673, No.102), is amended to read:

Section 9.2. Authority to Administer Injectable Medications, Biologicals and Immunizations.--(a) [Within eighteen months from the effective date of this section, the] The board shall by regulation establish education and training standards and practice guidelines pursuant to which pharmacists shall be authorized to administer injectable medications, biologicals and immunizations to persons who are more than eighteen years of age and influenza immunizations by injectable or needle-free delivery methods to persons nine years of age and older . Such standards and guidelines shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(1) Satisfactory completion of an academic and practical curriculum approved by the board that includes the current guidelines and recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the Public Health Service of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education or a similar health authority or professional body and includes, but is not limited to, disease epidemiology, vaccine characteristics, injection technique, emergency response to adverse events and related topics.

(2) Maintenance of a current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificate acceptable to the board.

(3) That the administration of injectable medications, biologicals and immunizations be in accordance with a definitive set of treatment guidelines established by a physician and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices guidelines or another competent authority approved by the board.

(4) That a minimum of two hours of the thirty-hour requirement for continuing education for license renewal be dedicated to this area of practice.

(5) For individuals under eighteen years of age, that parental consent be obtained prior to administration. Administration of influenza immunizations by injectable or needle-free delivery methods shall be in accordance with the immunization schedule established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

(6) Maintenance of a level of professional liability insurance coverage in the minimum amount of one million dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence or claims made. Failure to maintain insurance coverage as required shall subject the licensees to disciplinary proceedings. The board shall accept as satisfactory evidence of insurance coverage any of the following:

(i) personally purchased liability insurance;

(ii) professional liability insurance coverage provided by the individual licensee's employer; or

(iii) similar insurance coverage acceptable to the board.

(7) Notification of the individual's primary care provider, if known, within forty-eight hours of administration.

(b) A pharmacist's authority to administer injectable medications, biologicals and immunizations shall not be delegated to any other person. A pharmacy intern who has completed a course of education and training which meets the requirements of subsection (a)(1) and (2) may administer injectable medications, biologicals and immunizations to persons who are more than eighteen years of age and influenza immunizations by injectable or needle-free delivery methods to persons nine years of age and older only under the direct, immediate and personal supervision of a pharmacist holding the authority to administer injectable medications, biologicals and immunizations.

Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.

APPROVED--The 26th day of June, A.D. 2015.

TOM WOLF