2023 -- H 5555

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LC001957

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHARMACIES

     Introduced By: Representatives Tanzi, McGaw, Kislak, Cotter, Spears, Cruz, Boylan,
Potter, Giraldo, and Voas

     Date Introduced: February 15, 2023

     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; or of minimum age based on the most recent

guidance provided by the FDA;

     (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 education 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 or consult prior to prescribing regarding 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 most updated guidelines and standards of care as approved by the board of pharmacy, subject

to the approval 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 most updated clinical practice guidelines 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 health in

consultation with the director 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

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     This act would add a new section which sets forth conditions for pharmacists to prescribe

tobacco cessation drug therapies.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC001957

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