Bill Text: NJ A4832 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Authorizes pharmacists to administer coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) medications.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-10-19 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health Committee [A4832 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-A4832-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman DANIEL R. BENSON
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Authorizes pharmacists to administer coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) medications.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning pharmacists and amending P.L.2003, c.280.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 24 of P.L.2003, c.280 (C.45:14-63) is amended to read as follows:
24. a. No pharmacist shall administer a prescription medication directly to a patient without appropriate education or certification, as determined by the board in accordance with the requirements set forth in the rules jointly promulgated by the board and the State Board of Medical Examiners. Such medication shall only be for the treatment of a disease for which a nationally certified program is in effect, or as determined by the board, and only if utilized for the treatment of that disease for which the medication is prescribed or indicated or for which the collaborative drug therapy management permits.
b. (1) Notwithstanding any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, a pharmacist, pharmacy intern, or pharmacy extern may administer drugs to a patient 18 years of age or older, provided the pharmacist, pharmacy intern, or pharmacy extern is appropriately educated and qualified, as determined by the board in accordance with the requirements set forth in the rules jointly promulgated by the board and the State Board of Medical Examiners, and provided the drugs are administered under any one of the following conditions:
(a) pursuant to a prescription by an authorized prescriber for a vaccine and related emergency medications;
(b) in immunization programs implemented pursuant to an authorized prescriber's standing order for the vaccine and related emergency medications; or
(c) in immunization programs and programs sponsored by governmental agencies that are not patient specific.
(2) A pharmacist, pharmacy intern, or pharmacy extern may administer an influenza vaccine to a patient who is seven years of age or older. For a patient who is under 18 years of age, a pharmacist, pharmacy intern, or pharmacy extern shall not administer a vaccine except with the permission of the patient's parent or legal guardian. For a patient who is under 10 years of age, a pharmacist, pharmacy intern, or pharmacy extern shall not administer a vaccine unless pursuant to a prescription by an authorized prescriber. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require a patient 10 years of age or older to obtain a prescription for an influenza vaccine.
(3) A pharmacy intern or pharmacy extern, as defined by regulation of the New Jersey State Board of Pharmacy, may administer immunizations to patients by injection or by other delivery method, provided that the pharmacy intern or pharmacy extern is acting under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist who is pre-approved by the New Jersey State Board of Pharmacy to administer vaccines and related emergency medications, and who is in compliance with the rules jointly promulgated by the New Jersey State Board of Pharmacy and the State Board of Medical Examiners.
(4) A pharmacist, pharmacy intern, or pharmacy extern may administer injectable medications, biological products, or immunizations authorized by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the prevention or treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), if the administration of the injectable medication, biological product, or immunization is either: (a) consistent with applicable rules, regulations, or guidelines established by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; or (b) consistent with the United States Food and Drug Administration labeling for the injectable medication, biological product, or immunization.
c. An immunization administered to a patient by a pharmacist, pharmacy intern, or pharmacy extern shall be reported by a supervising pharmacist to the New Jersey Immunization Information System established pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2004, c.138 (C.26:4-134) as required pursuant to N.J.A.C.8:57-3.16, for inclusion in the patient's registry.
(cf: P.L.2018, c.143, s.1)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill authorizes pharmacists to administer vaccines against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Under current law, pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and pharmacy externs may generally administer vaccines to patients 18 years of age or older pursuant to an individual prescription for the vaccine, a standing order for the vaccine issued by an authorized prescriber, or an immunization program that is not patient specific. Pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and pharmacy externs may further administer the influenza vaccine to any patient who is 10 years of age or older without a prescription; for patients younger than 18 years of age, the consent of the patient's parent is required, and for patients who are seven years of age or older but younger than 10, a prescription for the vaccine is required.
This bill allows pharmacists, pharmacy externs, and pharmacy interns to administer injectable medications, biological products, or immunizations authorized by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the prevention or treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), if the administration of the injectable medication, biological product, or immunization is either consistent with applicable rules, regulations, or guidelines established by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or consistent with the United States Food and Drug Administration labeling for the injectable medication, biological product, or immunization.
