2022 -- H 7874

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LC005216

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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 Tanzi, Felix, McGaw, Batista, Donovan, Ranglin-
Vassell, and Kislak

     Date Introduced: March 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. Tobacco cessation therapy prescriptive authority.

     (a) A pharmacist who is licensed pursuant to this chapter and who meets the requirements

of this section may prescribe and dispense FDA-approved tobacco cessation drug therapies to a

qualified patient pursuant to rules and regulations adopted by the board of pharmacy, subject to the

approval of the director of health, in consultation with the director of behavioral healthcare,

developmental disabilities and hospitals.

     (b) For the purposes of this section, "qualified patient" means a patient who:

     (1) Is at least eighteen (18) years of age;

     (2) Is willing to participate in a structured tobacco cessation program consisting of an initial

evaluation and appropriate follow-up visits with the pharmacist prescribing tobacco cessation

products; and

     (3) Has been educated on symptoms of nicotine toxicity, common and/or severe adverse

effects of prescribed medication(s), and when to seek medical treatment.

     (c) Prior to prescribing tobacco cessation products, the pharmacist shall successfully

complete a course on tobacco cessation therapy taught by a provider accredited by the Accreditation

Council for Pharmacy Education or by a comparable provider recognized by the board of pharmacy.

     (d) The pharmacist shall refer high-risk patients or patients with an identified

contraindication to FDA-approved tobacco cessation drug therapies to the patient's primary care

provider, as applicable, or to another provider, as appropriate.

     (e) All pharmacists participating in prescribing therapy for tobacco cessation shall follow

the US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Services, Clinical Practice

Guideline: Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update (or subsequent updates as they

become available), or the most updated standard of care as approved by the board of pharmacy,

subject to the approval of the director of health, in consultation with the director of behavioral

healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals.

     (1) Pharmacists will implement the Five (5) A's (ask, advise, assess, assist, arrange) to help

patients quit using all forms of tobacco.

     (2) Pharmacists' services will include an educational component to include counseling on

medication therapies and cessation strategies as well as referral to sources provided by the Rhode

Island department of health.

     (f) Notification of the patient screening, the prescription record and the follow-up care plan

shall be provided to the patient's primary care provider, as applicable, within five (5) business days

following the prescribing of a tobacco cessation product.

     (g) The definition of a qualified patient is subject to adaptation pursuant to rules and

regulations adopted by the board of pharmacy, subject to the approval of the director of the

department of health, in consultation with the director of the department of behavioral healthcare,

developmental disabilities and hospitals.

     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

***

     This act would authorize a licensed pharmacist, who successfully completes a course on

tobacco cessation therapy, to prescribe and dispense FDA-approved tobacco cessation drug

products to a qualified patient pursuant to rules and regulations adopted by the board of pharmacy.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC005216

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