NC S597

Expands the scope of practice for clinical pharmacist practitioners to include drug therapy management, disease management, and population health management through written collaborative practice agreements with physicians.

Authorizes clinical pharmacist practitioners to modify prescribed drug dosages and dosage forms, order laboratory tests and devices, and conduct drug substitutions within the same therapeutic class or for biosimilar medications with physician authorization.

Requires supervising physicians to conduct periodic review and evaluation of clinical pharmacist practitioners, with each practitioner having a site-specific supervising physician who may supervise multiple practitioners as deemed safe and effective.

Mandates that health insurers in North Carolina reimburse pharmacists at the same rate as other advanced practice providers (nurse practitioners, physician assistants) when providing equivalent health care services within their lawful scope of practice.

Requires the North Carolina Medical Board and Board of Pharmacy to adopt temporary rules implementing these provisions, with the act effective October 1, 2023.