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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fourth Legislature, First Regular Session
pharmacists; providers; drug therapy; refills
Purpose
Requires that a patient be referred by a provider for a pharmacist to follow drug therapy management protocols.
Background
Licensed
pharmacists are permitted to initiate, monitor and modify drug therapy and use
if: 1) the patient's drug therapy and use are pursuant to a provider; 2) the
pharmacist complies with rules adopted by the Board of Pharmacy; and 3) the
pharmacist follows the written drug therapy management protocols prescribed by
the provider that made the diagnosis and initiates, monitors and modifies
a person's drug therapy and use. Each drug therapy management protocol must
contain detailed directions regarding the permissible actions a pharmacist may
perform for that patient, including the specific drugs managed by the
pharmacist, the conditions and events for which the pharmacist must notify the
provider and the laboratory tests that may be ordered. A provider who enters
into a protocol-based drug therapy agreement must have a legitimate
provider-patient relationship. Additionally, current statute permits licensed
pharmacists to dispense onetime emergency refills for prescriptions of
noncontrolled medications used to treat ongoing medical conditions if specified
requirements are met (A.R.S. §§ 32-1970
and 32-1979.01).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Specifies that a patient must be referred by a provider for a pharmacist to follow drug therapy management protocols.
2. Modifies the definition of initiate, monitor and modify to exclude a pharmacist's selection of a specific drug product that is authorized by written guidelines and protocols.
3. Eliminates the ability of a licensed pharmacist to dispense onetime emergency refills for prescriptions for noncontrolled medications used to treat ongoing medical conditions under certain conditions.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
HHS 1/24/19 DP 9-0-0-0
3rd Read 2/11/19 60-0-0
Prepared by Senate Research
March 11, 2019
CRS/AG/kja