HIV Infection Prevention Drugs
The legislation is intended to enhance the role of pharmacists within the healthcare system by authorizing them to serve as frontline providers for HIV prevention. The Board of Pharmacy will set forth certification requirements that pharmacists must meet to engage in this practice, including maintaining liability coverage, undergoing appropriate training, and adhering to a statewide drug therapy protocol that is developed collaboratively with the Board of Medicine and the Board of Osteopathic Medicine.
House Bill 0963 establishes new provisions for the ordering and dispensing of HIV infection prevention drugs by licensed pharmacists in Florida. The bill introduces a new section to the Florida Statutes, allowing pharmacists to screen for HIV exposure, as well as order and dispense drugs such as preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) following specific protocols. The bill aims to expand access to HIV prevention methods and improve public health outcomes regarding HIV infection rates in the state.
While the bill garners support for making HIV prevention drugs more accessible, critics may raise concerns over the adequacy of training and oversight for pharmacists, especially regarding sensitive health matters. Additionally, it opens discussions regarding the role of pharmacists in clinical care, which may provoke debate about the extent to which pharmacists should operate in a traditionally physician-led domain. The balance between expanding healthcare accessibility and ensuring professional standards will be a central point of contention as the bill moves through legislative discussions.