AN ACT

 

1Amending the act of September 27, 1961 (P.L.1700, No.699),
2entitled "An act relating to the regulation of the practice
3of pharmacy, including the sales, use and distribution of
4drugs and devices at retail; and amending, revising,
5consolidating and repealing certain laws relating thereto,"
6further providing for the authority to administer injectable
7medications, biologicals and immunizations.

8The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
9hereby enacts as follows:

10Section 1. Section 9.2 of the act of September 27, 1961
11(P.L.1700, No.699), known as the Pharmacy Act, added June 29,
122002 (P.L.673, No.102), is amended to read:

13Section 9.2. Authority to Administer Injectable Medications,
14Biologicals and Immunizations.--(a) [Within eighteen months
15from the effective date of this section, the] The board shall by
16regulation establish education and training standards and
17practice guidelines pursuant to which pharmacists shall be
18authorized to administer injectable medications, biologicals and

1immunizations to [persons who are more than eighteen years of
2age] individuals seven years of age and older. Such standards
3and guidelines shall include, but not be limited to, the
4following:

5(1) Satisfactory completion of an academic and practical
6curriculum approved by the board that includes the current
7guidelines and recommendations of the Centers for Disease
8Control and Prevention in the Public Health Service of the
9United States Department of Health and Human Services, the
10American Council on Pharmaceutical Education or a similar health
11authority or professional body and includes, but is not limited
12to, disease epidemiology, vaccine characteristics, injection
13technique, emergency response to adverse events and related
14topics.

15(2) Maintenance of a current cardiopulmonary resuscitation
16(CPR) certificate acceptable to the board.

17(3) That the administration of injectable medications,
18biologicals and immunizations be in accordance with a definitive
19set of treatment guidelines established by a physician and
20approved by the board.

21(4) That a minimum of two hours of the thirty-hour
22requirement for continuing education for license renewal be
23dedicated to this area of practice.

24(5) For individuals under eighteen years of age, that prior
25parental consent must be obtained and that pharmacists are
26restricted to administering only immunizations. Administration
27of immunizations shall be in accordance with the immunization
28schedule established by the Centers for Disease Control and
29Prevention.

30(6) Maintenance of a level of professional liability

1insurance coverage in the minimum amount of one million dollars
2($1,000,000) per occurrence or claim made. Failure to maintain
3insurance coverage as required shall subject the licensee to
4disciplinary proceedings. The board shall accept as satisfactory
5evidence of insurance coverage any of the following:

6(i) Personal purchased liability insurance.

7(ii) Professional liability insurance coverage provided by
8the individual licensee's employer.

9(iii) Similar insurance coverage acceptable to the board.

10(7) That notification by the pharmacist be provided to the
11individual's primary care provider, if known, within seventy-two
12hours of administration.

13(b) [A] (1) Except as set forth in clause (2), a
14pharmacist's authority to administer injectable medications,
15biologicals and immunizations shall not be delegated to any
16other person.

17(2) A pharmacy intern who has completed a course of
18education and training which meets the requirements of
19subsection (a)(1) and (2) may administer injectable medications,
20biologicals and immunizations only under the direct, immediate
21and personal supervision of a pharmacist holding the authority
22to administer injectable medications, biologicals and
23immunizations.

24Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.