ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-seventh Legislature

First Regular Session

House: HHS DP 10-0-0-2

HB 2628: pharmacists; emergency medication; administration

Sponsor: Representative Weninger, LD 13

Caucus & COW

Overview

Allows an authorized pharmacist to order and administer emergency medication to manage an acute allergic reaction to the medication that was administered at the pharmacy. Outlines procedures for pharmacists who administer emergency medication.

History

The State Board of Pharmacy (Board) regulates the practice of pharmacy to protect the health, safety and welfare of Arizona citizens.

A pharmacist who administers an immunization, vaccine or emergency medication must:

1) notify the person's identified primary care provider or physician within 48-hours after administering the immunization, vaccine or emergency medication, as prescribed by the Board by rule;

2) report information to the Arizona State Immunization Information System established by the Department of Health Services;

3) maintain a record of the immunization;

4) notify the person's identified primary care provider or physician, within 24-hours after occurrence, any adverse reaction that is reported to or witnessed by the pharmacist and that is listed by the vaccine manufacturer as a contraindication to further doses of the vaccine;

5) notify the vaccine adverse event reporting system in accordance with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee recommendations;

6) provide vaccine information materials to those requesting immunizations or vaccines and, for persons under 18 years of age, provide educational materials to the person's parent or guardian about the importance of pediatric preventive health care visits as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics; and

7) follow the standard operating procedures adopted by the pharmacy or other institution where the immunization, vaccine or emergency medication is administered that are based on the vaccine administration protocols and immunization practices published in the CDC Morbidity and Mortality weekly report (A.R.S. § 32-1974).

The Board must adopt rules for ordering and administering vaccines, immunizations and emergency medications regarding: 1) recordkeeping and reporting requirements; and 2) requirements and qualifications for pharmacist authorization (A.R.S. § 32-1974).

Provisions

1. Allows an authorized pharmacist to order and administer emergency medication to manage an acute allergic reaction to the medication that was administered at the pharmacy. (Sec. 1)

2. Requires a pharmacist who administers emergency medication to:

a) notify the person's identified primary care provider or physician within 48-hours after administering the emergency medication as prescribed by Board rule; and

b) follow the standard operating procedures adopted by the pharmacy or other institution where the emergency medication is administered, including any emergency management policies and procedures. (Sec. 1)

3. Requires a pharmacist to make a reasonable effort to identify the person's primary care provider or physician by the following methods:

a) checking pharmacy records; and

b) requesting the information from the person or, in the case of a minor, the person's parent or guardian. (Sec. 1)

4. Clarifies that this does not establish a cause of action against a patient's primary care provider or physician for any adverse reaction, complication or negative outcome arising from the administration of any emergency medication by a pharmacist to the patient if the medication is administered without a prescription order written by the primary care provider or physician. (Sec. 1)

5. Defines emergency medication to be emergency epinephrine, corticosteroids, albuterol, oxygen and antihistamines. (Sec. 1)

8. ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------

9. HB 2628

10. Initials AG Page 0 Caucus & COW

11.

12. ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------