Pharmacists; initiation of treatment with and dispensing and administration of vaccines.

Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians; initiation of treatment with and dispensing and administration of vaccines. Allows pharmacists and pharmacy technicians acting under the supervision of a pharmacist to initiate treatment with and dispense and administer vaccines for COVID-19, nicotine replacement and other tobacco cessation therapies, and tests for COVID-19 and other coronaviruses to persons aged 18 years and older and vaccines included on the Immunization Schedule published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and vaccines for COVID-19 and tests for COVID-19 and other coronaviruses to persons three years of age or older in accordance with a statewide protocol established by the Board of Medicine in collaboration with the Board of Pharmacy and the Department of Health. The bill also directs the Board of Medicine, in collaboration with the Board of Pharmacy and the Department of Health to develop such statewide protocol by November 1, 2022, and directs the Board of Pharmacy to adopt emergency regulations to implement the provisions of the bill. The bill also provides that when services related to the initiation of treatment with or dispensing or administration of a vaccination by a pharmacist, pharmacy technician, or pharmacy intern provided for by the state plan for medical assistance services are provided in accordance with the provisions of the bill, the Department of Medical Assistance Services shall provide reimbursement for such services. Finally, the bill provides that provisions related to administration of COVID-19 vaccines to and testing for COVID-19 of minors shall become effective upon the expiration of the provisions of the federal Declaration Under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act for Medical Countermeasures Against COVID-19 related to the administration of COVID-19 vaccines to and testing for COVID-19 of minors. This bill is identical to HB 1323.