An Act relative to pharmacists as healthcare providers

This bill expands pharmacists' role in healthcare by allowing them to diagnose, test for, and treat specific illnesses like influenza, strep infections, and public health threats (including COVID-19) under state guidelines. Pharmacists must follow department-established procedures and can use federally waived tests or standardized screening protocols. Crucially, the bill requires insurance companies to reimburse pharmacists the same as physicians or nurses for these services, mandating new billing codes to ensure fair payment. It directly affects pharmacists, patients seeking care for these conditions, and health insurers.