HB5809 Summary

• Amends the Pharmacy Practice Act to include prescribing and dispensing of hormonal contraceptive patches and self-administered oral hormonal contraceptives as part of the practice of pharmacy.

• Allows pharmacists to prescribe and dispense contraceptives to persons 18 years and older without a previous prescription; persons under 18 must have evidence of a previous prescription from a primary care or women's health care practitioner.

• Requires the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to adopt rules establishing standard procedures for pharmacist contraceptive prescribing, including mandatory training programs, self-screening risk assessments, and patient referrals to primary care providers.

• Prohibits pharmacists from requiring appointment scheduling for contraceptive dispensing and from prescribing to patients without evidence of a women's health clinical visit within 3 years of initial prescription.

• Applies all state and federal insurance coverage laws for contraceptive drugs and products to pharmacist-prescribed hormonal contraceptives.