HB 579 by Rep. McMahen is using HIV to put "statewide protocol" into statute, thus providing a precedent. If this bill passes in its current form, you should expect to be fighting pharmacy scope bills every year.
As amended in the Senate Health and Welfare Committee HB 579:
- Allows pharmacists to prescribe, dispense and administer PrEP and PEP
- To aged 17 and over
- Pursuant to a standing order
- Pursuant to statewide protocols developed by LDH
- Perform a rapid test
- Order lab testing
- Follow certain privacy conditions
2. Requires LDH to establish protocols and promulgate rules for implementation of above items
- Promulgation must use emergency rulemaking or be complete by December 2024
- Allows consultation with an “expert panel”
- Rules must address but are not limited to:
-
- Testing
- Referral
- Prescribing
- Reimbursement
- Screening
- Training program development that includes:
-
- Use of PrEP and PEP
- Financial assistance programs
- State and federal resources on level of care
- Strategies of care for uninsured
- Documented assessment
- Documented consent
- Notification to or Referral to a primary care provider
- Testing
3. Addresses payment and insurance
- Pays the pharmacist the same amount as a physician
- Does not require insurance to cover
- Says insurance may cover
