EXPAND PHARMACISTS' IMMUNIZING AUTHORITY.

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View NCGA Bill Details2013-2014 Session
House Bill 832 (Public) Filed Wednesday, April 10, 2013
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC'S HEALTH BY INCREASING ACCESS TO IMMUNIZATIONS AND VACCINES THROUGH THE EXPANDED ROLE OF IMMUNIZING PHARMACISTS.
Intro. by Avila, Lewis, Foushee, Glazier.

Status: Ch. SL 2013-246 (House Action) (Jul 3 2013)
H 832/S.L. 2013-246

Bill Summaries:

  • Summary date: Jul 8 2013 - View Summary

    AN ACT TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC'S HEALTH BY INCREASING ACCESS TO IMMUNIZATIONS AND VACCINES THROUGH THE EXPANDED ROLE OF IMMUNIZING PHARMACISTS. Enacted July 3, 2013. Sections 1 through 5 are effective October 1, 2013. The remainder is effective July 3, 2013.


  • Summary date: Jun 19 2013 - View Summary

    Senate committee substitute makes the following changes to the 3rd edition.

    Amends new GS 90-85.3A(c) toprovide thatan immunizing pharmacistis authorized and permitted to administer drugs under rules designed to ensure the safety and health of patientsthat have beenadopted by the Board of Pharmacy, the Board of Nursing, and the North Carolina Medical Board, in addition to the immunizing pharmacist's authority to administer drugs under GS 90-85.15B.

    Amends GS 90-85.15B to provide that an immunizing pharmacist may administer the following vaccinations or immunizations to persons at least 18 years of age (previously, was not age specific): (1) pneumococcal polysaccharide or pneumococcal conjugate vaccines;(2) herpes zoster vaccine;(3) hepatitis B vaccine;(4) meningococcal polysaccharide or meningococcal conjugate vaccines;and (5) tetanus-diphtheria, tetanus and diphtheria toxoids and pertussis, tetanus and diphtheria toxoids and acellular pertussis, or tetanus toxoid vaccines. Authorizes an immunizing pharmacist to administer the influenza vaccine to persons at least 14 years of age under 21 NCAC 46.2507 and 21 NCAC 32U.0101.Makes an exception to the mandate that an immunizing pharmacist record a vaccine or immunizationin the North Carolina Immunization Registry (Registry)within 72 hours afterits administration, providing that if the Registry is not operable,an immunizing pharmacistmay record the administering of any vaccine or immunization as soon as reasonably possible.

    Provides that regardless of the provisions of Sections one through five of this act and any other provisions of law, pharmacists qualified to administer influenza, pneumococcal, and zoster vaccines before the effective date of this act may continue to administer these vaccines in accordance with the provisions of 21 NCAC 46.2507 until June 30, 2014, including administration to individuals at least 14 years old.

    Provides that Sections 1 through 5 of this act become effective October 1, 2013, and the remainder of the act is effective when it becomes law (was, the act became effective July 1, 2013).


  • Summary date: May 13 2013 - View Summary

    House amendment makes the following change to the 2nd edition. Makes a technical correction to new GS 90-85.15B.(3) to delete an extraneous preposition.


  • Summary date: May 9 2013 - View Summary

    House committee substitute makes the following changes to the 1st edition.

    Amends GS 90-85.15B, Immunizing pharmacists, providing that except as provided in subsection (b), an immunizing pharmacist can administer vaccinations or immunizations only if the vaccinations or immunizations are recommended or required by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and administered to persons at least 18 years old pursuant to a specific prescription order. Sets out the specific vaccinations or immunizations that can be administered and the written protocols and regulations that must be adhered to in the administering of the vaccinations or immunizations. Also provides that the pharmacist cannot administer specified tetanus- or pertussis-related shots if the patient discloses that he or she has an open wound, puncture, or tissue tear. Makes clarifying changes.

    Deletes proposed changes to GS 130A-154(a).

    Deletes Section 7 of the act, which specified the rule that governs the administration of the flu, pneumococcal and zoster vaccines by an immunizing pharmacist.

    Directs specified special interest groups to cooperate and collaborate on recommending minimum standards for screening questionnaires and safety procedures for written protocols for the administration of vaccinations or immunizations under GS 90-85.15B(b). Sets outs the procedures and different time requirements for completing such.

     


  • Summary date: Apr 11 2013 - View Summary

    Identical to S 500, filed 3/27/13.

    Enacts new GS 90-85.15B in Article 4A of GS Chapter 90 to authorize a pharmacist to administer any vaccine or immunization recommended or required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, provided the pharmacist follows the listed limitations and requirements. Prohibits immunizations to patients under the age of 18.

    Deletes the description of practice of pharmacy in GS 90-85.3(r) and incorporates those provisions into new GS 90-85.3A. Makes a conforming change.
    Makes conforming changes to GS 130A-153 and 130A-154(a) (pertaining to immunizations under the Public Health Law).

    Specifies the rule that governs the administration of specified vaccines by an immunizing pharmacist. Requires the NC Medical Board, in cooperation with the NC Board of Pharmacy, to amend another specified rule to give immunizing pharmacists the authority to administer the flu vaccine to patients under age 14.

    Effective July 1, 2013.