Permits licensed pharmacists to prescribe and order certain immunizations, medicines, drugs or therapeutic devices to the extent permitted by rules and regulations promulgated by the commissioner of education and the commissioner of health.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would notably impact how healthcare is delivered in New York State. It is expected to alleviate some of the burdens on traditional healthcare providers and potentially reduce wait times for patients needing certain immunizations and medications. By empowering pharmacists to expand their scope of practice, the bill aims to increase the efficiency of public health responses, particularly during emergencies such as disease outbreaks where rapid vaccination deployment is crucial. This change is likely to make healthcare more accessible, especially among populations that might otherwise face barriers in accessing services.
Summary
Bill A09117 proposes to amend New York's education law, allowing licensed pharmacists to prescribe and order specific immunizations, medicines, drugs, or therapeutic devices. This authority will be granted to pharmacists within the limitations established by rules and regulations set forth by the commissioner of education and the commissioner of health. The bill is designed to enhance access to healthcare by enabling pharmacists, who are well-placed to engage with patients, to play a more significant role in the healthcare delivery system. The intent is to streamline the process for receiving vaccinations and prescription medications, which could be particularly beneficial in areas with limited access to healthcare providers.
Contention
As with any legislation that revises healthcare practices, A09117 may face discussions around its implications for patient safety and professional boundaries. Critics could raise concerns regarding the adequacy of training for pharmacists to ensure they can competently prescribe medications. Furthermore, there may be debates about the potential impact on the physician community and whether this change would encroach on their professional responsibilities. Advocates for the bill will need to address these concerns proactively to ensure broad support within the healthcare community.
Permits licensed pharmacists and nurse practitioners to prescribe and order COVID-19 immunizations; permits physicians to issue non-patient specific orders to pharmacists for COVID-19 immunizations for patients two years of age and older; permits pharmacists to issue patient specific orders for COVID-19 immunizations for patients two years of age and older.
Permits licensed pharmacists and nurse practitioners to prescribe and order COVID-19 immunizations; permits physicians to issue non-patient specific orders to pharmacists for COVID-19 immunizations for patients two years of age and older; permits pharmacists to issue patient specific orders for COVID-19 immunizations for patients two years of age and older.
Amends the types of products which pharmacists may prescribe as substitute drugs or products to include "devices and supplies" and "therapeutically equivalent drugs and pharmaceuticals".
Amends the types of products which pharmacists may prescribe as substitute drugs or products to include "devices and supplies" and "therapeutically equivalent drugs and pharmaceuticals."
Provides that licensed pharmacists may administer certain vaccines where a non-patient specific order exists or immunizations are authorized by the commissioner of health and are recommended for use by the New York state immunization advisory council or are identified by the department of health as necessary to address public health emergencies, outbreaks, or chronic disease prevention.
Permits licensed pharmacists to prescribe and order certain medications for the purposes of inducing abortion or expelling a miscarriage after the completion of a risk assessment questionnaire and delivering a factsheet to the person to whom the medication is being disbursed.
Permits licensed pharmacists to prescribe and order certain medications for the purposes of inducing abortion or expelling a miscarriage after the completion of a risk assessment questionnaire and delivering a factsheet to the person to whom the medication is being disbursed.
Requires health care professionals to prescribe opioid antagonists when prescribing an opioid and discuss the dangers of opioid addiction with such patient in a manner consistent with regulations promulgated by the commissioner of health.
Authorizes a licensed pharmacist to administer any recommendations made by the commissioner of health pertaining to a vaccine that has been authorized by the federal Food and Drug Administration; relates to insurance coverage for immunizations; removes the requirement to follow the advisory committee on immunization practices of the centers for disease control and prevention recommendation for immunization against meningococcal disease.