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PRINTER'S NO. 1972
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1741
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY KEEFER, COX, RYAN, KAUFFMAN, HERSHEY, ROTHMAN,
BERNSTINE AND ZIMMERMAN, JULY 30, 2021
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, JULY 30, 2021
AN ACT
Providing for prescribing and dispensing drugs approved by the
United States Food and Drug Administration for off-label use
to treat coronavirus infections causing respiratory-syndrome-
related illnesses.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Coronavirus
Infection Medication Act.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Coronavirus." Any of the various RNA-containing spherical
viruses of the family coronaviridae.
"Dispense." The preparation of a prescription or
nonprescription drug in a suitable container appropriately
labeled for subsequent administration to or use by a patient or
other individual authorized to receive the drug.
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"Licensing board or commission." An administrative board or
commission under the Bureau of Occupational and Professional
Affairs in the Department of State.
"Pharmacist." As defined in section 2(10) of the act of
September 27, 1961 (P.L.1700, No.699), known as the Pharmacy
Act.
"Prescriber." A person who is licensed, registered or
otherwise lawfully authorized to prescribe a controlled
substance or any other drug or device in the course of
professional practice or research in this Commonwealth.
Section 3. Drugs for off-label use to treat coronavirus
infections causing respiratory-syndrome-related
illnesses.
(a) Authorization.--A prescriber may prescribe, and a
pharmacist shall dispense, in accordance with a prescription
drug order and with the informed consent of a patient, a
therapeutic drug approved by the United States Food and Drug
Administration, including hydroxychloroquine sulfate and
ivermectin, for off-label use to the patient for prophylaxis or
for at-home, early-stage outpatient or hospital inpatient
treatment of coronavirus infections causing respiratory-
syndrome-related illnesses.
(b) Exposure not required.--A patient's suspected exposure
to coronavirus infections causing respiratory-syndrome-related
illnesses shall not be required for a prescriber to prescribe,
and a pharmacist to dispense, a drug to the patient for
prophylaxis as authorized under subsection (a).
(c) Screening not required.--A patient's positive screening
results test shall not be required for a prescriber to
prescribe, and a pharmacist to dispense, a drug to the patient
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for at-home, early-stage outpatient treatment as authorized
under subsection (a).
Section 4. Administrative or disciplinary actions.
An action taken by a prescriber or pharmacist in accordance
with section 3 shall not be considered unlawful, unethical,
unauthorized or unprofessional conduct by a licensing board or
commission. A licensing board or commission may not take an
administrative or disciplinary action against a prescriber or
pharmacist for an action taken in accordance with section 3.
Section 5. Effective date.
This act shall take effect immediately.
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