2022 -- H 7990

========

LC005464

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHARMACIES

     Introduced By: Representatives Quattrocchi, Roberts, and Nardone

     Date Introduced: March 16, 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. Authority to dispense ivermectin.

     Licensed pharmacists, pursuant to a standing order, are authorized to dispense ivermectin

to persons in this state without a prior prescription, in accordance with the following provisions:

     (1) As used in this section, "standing order" means a written and signed protocol authored

by one or more physicians, or advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) licensed by the state to

issue prescriptions. Such agreement shall specify a protocol allowing the licensed pharmacist to

dispense ivermectin under the delegated prescriptive authority of the physician, or APRN, specify

a mechanism to document screening performed and the prescription in the patient's medical record,

and include a plan for evaluating and treating adverse events. Any such prescription shall be

regarded as being issued for a legitimate medical purpose in the usual course of professional

practice.

     (2) A pharmacist, pharmacy, physician, or APRN issuing or following standing orders shall

be prohibited from seeking personal financial benefit by participating in any incentive-based

program or accepting any inducement that influences or encourages therapeutic or product changes

or the ordering of tests or services.

     (3) The pharmacist shall provide each recipient of ivermectin pursuant to this section with

a standardized information sheet written in plain language that shall include, but is not limited to,

the importance of follow-up care, and health care referral information. Nothing on the information

sheet shall discourage the recipient from using ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19.

     (4) The board of medical licensure and discipline shall not deny, revoke, suspend, or

otherwise take disciplinary action against a physician based on a pharmacist's failure to follow

standing orders; provided, the provisions of this section and the rules adopted under this section are

satisfied. The board of nursing shall not deny, revoke, suspend, or otherwise take disciplinary action

against an APRN based on a pharmacist's failure to follow standing orders; provided, the provisions

of this section and the rules adopted under this section are satisfied. The board of pharmacy shall

not deny, revoke, suspend, or otherwise take disciplinary action against a pharmacist who follows

standing orders based on a defect in those standing orders; provided, the provisions of this section

and the rules adopted under this section are satisfied.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC005464

========

LC005464 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHARMACIES

***

     This act would authorize pharmacists to dispense ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-

19 pursuant to a standing order issued by licensed health care providers.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC005464

========

LC005464 - Page 3 of 3