Bill Text: NJ S724 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Allows pharmacy interns and pharmacy externs to administer certain vaccines under direct supervision of pharmacist and requires reporting of certain vaccine administrations.**
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)
Status: (Passed) 2018-12-17 - Approved P.L.2018, c.143. [S724 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-S724-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
218th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2018 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Senator LINDA R. GREENSTEIN
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Requires direct supervision of pharmacy interns and externs who administer certain injectable medications.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act concerning pharmacy interns and externs and amending P.L.2003, c.280.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 24 of P.L.2003, c.280 (C.45:14-63) is amended to read as follows:
24. a. No pharmacist shall administer a prescription medication directly to a patient without appropriate education or certification, as determined by the board in accordance with the requirements set forth in the rules jointly promulgated by the board and the State Board of Medical Examiners. Such medication shall only be for the treatment of a disease for which a nationally certified program is in effect, or as determined by the board, and only if utilized for the treatment of that disease for which the medication is prescribed or indicated or for which the collaborative drug therapy management permits.
b. (1) Notwithstanding any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, a pharmacist may administer drugs to a patient 18 years of age or older, provided the pharmacist is appropriately educated and qualified, as determined by the board in accordance with the requirements set forth in the rules jointly promulgated by the board and the State Board of Medical Examiners, and provided the drugs are administered under any one of the following conditions:
(a) pursuant to a prescription by an authorized prescriber for a vaccine and related emergency medications;
(b) in immunization programs implemented pursuant to an authorized prescriber's standing order for the vaccine and related emergency medications; or
(c) in immunization programs and programs sponsored by governmental agencies that are not patient specific.
(2) A pharmacist may administer an influenza vaccine to a patient who is seven years of age or older. For a patient who is under 18 years of age, a pharmacist shall not administer a vaccine except with the permission of the patient's parent or legal guardian. For a patient who is under 12 years of age, a pharmacist shall not administer a vaccine unless pursuant to a prescription by an authorized prescriber. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require a patient 12 years of age or older to obtain a prescription for an influenza vaccine.
c. A pharmacy intern or extern who has completed the required education and training, as defined in N.J.A.C.13:39-2.6, may administer injectable medications, biologicals, and immunizations to patients by injectable or needle free delivery methods provided that they are acting under the direct supervision of a pharmacist licensed to administer injectable medications, biologicals and immunizations pursuant to P.L.2003, c.280 (C.45:14-40 et al.), or any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(cf: P.L.2013, c.254, s.1)
2. This act shall take effect on the 60th day following enactment, except the New Jersey State Board of Pharmacy may take anticipatory administrative action in advance as shall be necessary for the implementation of this act.
STATEMENT
This bill provides that a pharmacy intern or extern may administer injectable medications, biologicals, and immunizations to patients by injectable or needle free delivery methods, but only under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist.
Currently, a licensed pharmacist may administer certain injectable medications only if the licensed pharmacist is appropriately certified and pre-approved by the New Jersey State Board of Pharmacy. Current law does not permit a pharmacy intern or extern to administer injectable medications. This bill will permit pharmacy interns and externs to administer injectable medications, biologicals, and immunizations under the direct supervision of a pharmacist licensed to administer injectable medications, biologicals and immunizations pursuant to P.L.2003, c.280 (C.45:14-40 et al.), or any regulations promulgated thereunder.
