DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 579 Original 2024 Regular Session McMahen
Abstract: Authorizes pharmacists to dispense HIV pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis.
Proposed law defines "board", "human immunodeficiency virus", "post-exposure prophylaxis",
"pre-exposure prophylaxis", and "treatment of HIV as prevention".
Proposed law provides that a pharmacist may initiate therapy and administer and dispense drugs,
including HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and HIV post-exposure prophylaxis, and order laboratory
tests in conjunction with administering and dispensing the drugs pursuant to a statewide protocol.
Proposed law requires the board to promulgate administrative rules in accordance with the
Administrative Procedure Act to implement the provisions of proposed law, including rules that
establish protocols for dispensing HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and HIV post-exposure
prophylaxis.
Proposed law requires certain terms and conditions, at minimum, to be included in the statewide
protocol. Proposed law further requires a pharmacist to do all of the following:
(1) Complete a training program approved by the board on the use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis
and HIV post-exposure prophylaxis within 12 months of initiating therapy and administering,
dispensing, or both.
(2) Screen the patient and determine whether the exposure to HIV occurred within the previous 72
hours and whether the patient otherwise meets the clinical criteria for HIV post-exposure
prophylaxis.
(3) Provide HIV testing and determine whether the patient is willing to undergo such testing.
(4) Provide counseling to the patient on the ongoing use of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis.
Proposed law requires reimbursement for any pharmacist authorized to provide a service relative to
HIV pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis. Such reimbursement shall be done at the same
rate as any other participating healthcare provider providing such service, including but not limited
to any physician licensed in accordance with present law, any physician assistant licensed in
accordance with present law, or any advanced practice registered nurse licensed in accordance with
present law. (Adds R.S. 40:1172.1-1172.3)