2022 -- H 7346

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LC004522

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHARMACIES

     Introduced By: Representatives Vella-Wilkinson, Williams, Casimiro, Kazarian, Alzate,
Baginski, Messier, Felix, Morales, and Shallcross Smith

     Date Introduced: February 04, 2022

     Referred To: House Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 5-19.1 of the General Laws entitled "Pharmacies" is hereby amended

by adding thereto the following section:

     5-19.1-36. Pharmacists -- Contraceptives -- Prescribing.

     (a) In accordance with chapter 19.1 of title 5 and adopted by the state board of pharmacy,

a pharmacist may prescribe and dispense FDA - approved hormonal contraceptive patches and self-

administered oral hormonal contraceptives to a person who is:

     (1) At least eighteen (18) years of age, regardless of whether the person has evidence of a

previous prescription from a primary care practitioner or women's health care practitioner for a

hormonal contraceptive patch or self-administered oral hormonal contraceptive; or

     (2) Under eighteen (18) years of age, only if the person has evidence of a previous

prescription from a primary care practitioner or women's health care practitioner for a hormonal

contraceptive patch or self-administered oral hormonal contraceptive.

     (b) The state board of pharmacy shall adopt rules to establish, in consultation with the

Rhode Island medical board, the Rhode Island state board of nursing and the Rhode Island

department of health, and in consideration of guidelines established by the American Congress of

Obstetricians and Gynecologists standard procedures for the prescribing of hormonal contraceptive

patches and self-administered oral hormonal contraceptives by pharmacists.

     (c) A pharmacist shall be required to:

     (1) Complete a training program approved by the state board of pharmacy that is related to

prescribing hormonal contraceptive patches and self-administered oral hormonal contraceptives;

     (2) Provide a self-screening risk assessment tool that the patient must use prior to the

pharmacist's prescribing the hormonal contraceptive patch or self-administered oral hormonal

contraceptive;

     (3) Refer the patient to the patient's primary care practitioner or women's health care

practitioner upon prescribing and dispensing the hormonal contraceptive patch or self-administered

oral hormonal contraceptive;

     (4) Provide the patient with a written record of the hormonal contraceptive patch or self-

administered oral hormonal contraceptive prescribed and dispensed and advise the patient to

consult with a primary care practitioner or women's health care practitioner; and

     (5) Dispense the hormonal contraceptive patch or self-administered oral hormonal

contraceptive to the patient as soon as practicable after the pharmacist issues the prescription.

     (d) All state and federal laws governing insurance coverage of contraceptive drugs,

devices, products and services shall apply to hormonal contraceptive patches and self-administered

oral hormonal contraceptives prescribed by a pharmacist under this section.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHARMACIES

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     This act would authorize a pharmacist to prescribe and dispense FDA - approved hormonal

contraceptive patches and self-administered oral hormonal contraceptives, provided that the

pharmacist has completed a training program approved by the state board of pharmacy.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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