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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
pharmacists; emergency medication; administration
Purpose
Allows a pharmacist to order and administer emergency medication to manage an acute allergic reaction to medication that was administered at the pharmacy and requires the pharmacist to notify the person's primary care provider within 48 hours of administering the emergency medication.
Background
A licensed pharmacist may administer immunizations or vaccines that are recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to persons who are: 1) at least 6 years of age; 2) at least 18 years of age, if the immunization is for international travel; and 3) at least 3 years of age, if the immunization or vaccine is for influenza. A pharmacist who wishes to order and administer immunizations and vaccines must update the pharmacist's online profile with the Board of Pharmacy (Board) indicating that the pharmacist is an active immunizer who meets the requirements as prescribed by the Board's rules. A pharmacist who is authorized to administer immunizations and vaccines may also administer emergency medication to manage an acute allergic reaction to an immunization, vaccine or medication, and immunizations or vaccines, to any person regardless of age during a public health emergency response. Pharmacists who administer immunizations, vaccines or emergency medications must notify the person's identified primary care provider or physician within 48 hours after administering the immunization, vaccine or emergency medication and within 24-hours after 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 (A.R.S. ยง 32-1974).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
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 and as prescribed by the Board's rules; and
b) follow the standard operating procedures, including any emergency management policies and procedures, adopted by the pharmacy or other institution where the emergency medication is administered.
3. Specifies that the pharmacist must make a reasonable effort to identify the person's primary care provider or physician by checking pharmacy records and requesting the information from the person or the person's parent or guardian if the person is a minor.
4. States that a pharmacist's administration of an emergency medication does not establish a cause of action against a patient's primary care provider or physician for any adverse reaction, complication or negative outcome, if the medication is administered without a prescription order written by the patient's primary care provider or physician.
5. Defines emergency medication as emergency epinephrine, corticosteroids, albuterol, oxygen and antihistamines.
6. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
HHS 2/10/25 DP 10-0-0-2
3rd Read 2/20/25 58-0-2
Prepared by Senate Research
March 3, 2025
MM/KS/slp