As requsted,
http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bpoa/lib/bpoa/20/10/pharmacyact.pdf
and some excerpts,
Here, definition of pharmacy has been changed. the old law stated that practice of pharmacy was dispencing medication order to a consumer, and pharmacists were not even classified as a healthcare professional.
(11) "Practice of pharmacy" means the provision of health care services by a pharmacist, which includes the interpretation, evaluation and implementation of medical orders for the provision of pharmacy services or prescription drug orders; the delivery, dispensing or distribution of prescription drugs; participation in drug and device selection; drug administration; drug regimen review; drug or drug-related research; compounding; proper and safe storage of drugs and devices; managing drug therapy in an institutional setting consistent with the institution's assignment of clinical duties; maintaining proper records; patient counseling; and such acts, services, operations or transactions necessary or incident to the provision of these health care services. The "practice of pharmacy" shall not include the operations of a manufacturer or distributor as defined in "The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act."
Pharmacists under the protocol or the agreement from physicians can now order tests, and change pt's drug regimen. we cannot however initate drug therapy (which i totally agree)
Some interesting point here, pharmacist now require to carry malpractice insurance coverage of 1 million per occurence. i dont know what the usual malpractice insurance cost for dispencing pharmacists, however, i expect that cost to go up for any pharmacist who is in this clinical setting.
(14) "Managing drug therapy" means any of the following processes which shall be performed in an institutional setting only: adjusting a drug regimen; adjusting drug strength, frequency of administration or route; administration of drugs; and ordering laboratory tests and ordering and performing other diagnostic tests necessary in the management of drug therapy, consistent with the testing standards of the institution. Managing drug therapy shall be performed pursuant to a written agreement or protocol as set forth in section 9.1 of this act.
Section 9.1. Drug Therapy Protocols.
(a) A pharmacist shall be permitted to enter into a written agreement or protocol with a licensed physician authorizing the management of drug therapy in an institutional setting.
(b) The licensed physician who is a party to a written agreement or protocol authorizing the management of drug therapy shall be in active practice, and the written agreement or protocol shall be within the scope of the licensed physician's current practice.
(c) Participation in a written agreement or protocol authorizing the management of drug therapy shall be voluntary, and no licensed physician, pharmacist or institution shall be required to participate.
(d) (1) A pharmacist who is a party to a written agreement or protocol authorizing the management of drug therapy shall obtain and maintain, to the satisfaction of the board, professional liability insurance coverage in the minimum amount of one million dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence or claims made. The professional liability insurance coverage shall remain in effect as long as that pharmacist is a party to a written agreement or protocol authorizing the management of drug therapy. Failure to maintain insurance coverage as required under this subsection shall be actionable under section 5 of this act.
Regarding Injectible Drugs
Section 9.2. Authority to Administer Injectable Medications, Biologicals and Immunizations.
(a) Within eighteen months from the effective date of this section, the board shall by regulation establish education and training standards and practice guidelines pursuant to which pharmacists shall be authorized to administer injectable medications, biologicals and immunizations to persons who are more than eighteen years of age. Such standards and guidelines shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) Satisfactory completion of an academic and practical curriculum approved by the board that includes the current guidelines and recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the Public Health Service of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education or a similar health authority or professional body and includes, but is not limited to, disease epidemiology, vaccine characteristics, injection technique, emergency response to adverse events and related topics.
(2) Maintenance of a current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificate acceptable to the board.
(3) That the administration of injectable medications, biologicals and immunizations be in accordance with a definitive set of treatment guidelines established by a physician and approved by the board.
(4) That a minimum of two hours of the thirty-hour requirement for continuing education for license renewal be dedicated to this area of practice.
(b) A pharmacist's authority to administer injectable medications, biologicals and immunizations shall not be delegated to any other person.
(9.2 added June 29, 2002, P.L.673, No.102)
