RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 711 (HB 579) 2024 Regular Session McMahen
New law defines "department", "human immunodeficiency virus", "post-exposure
prophylaxis", and "pre-exposure prophylaxis".
New law provides that a pharmacist may prescribe, dispense, and administer up to 30 days
of drug supply for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and HIV post-exposure prophylaxis for a
person 17 years or older pursuant to a standing order or protocol developed by the La. Dept.
of Health (LDH).
New law authorizes a pharmacist to perform a rapid HIV test or order laboratory testing for
HIV infection for a person 17 years or older pursuant to protocol developed by LDH.
New law establishes certain requirements to ensure privacy and confidentiality relative to
tests administered in accordance with new law.
New law requires LDH to promulgate administrative rules in accordance with existing law
to establish protocols for the provisions of new law.
New law requires the rules promulgated by LDH to include requirements relating to the
testing, screening, and treatment of patients.
New law requires LDH to consult with an expert panel in developing the rules and protocol
and identifies members of the expert panel.
New law establishes certain requirements, including a training program as approved by LDH,
to be included in the protocol. New law establishes requirements for the training program.
New law further requires a pharmacist to document a focused assessment of the patient
following best practices and guidelines for preventing HIV and the steps to obtain consent,
order, process, evaluate, interpret, and discuss results with patients of any laboratory tests
listed in the protocol.
New law requires a pharmacist to identify the nature and obligations for successful HIV
pre-exposure prophylaxis or HIV post-exposure prophylaxis, as required by the patient and
the importance of timely testing for HIV and related complications and comorbid conditions.
New law further requires the rules promulgated by LDH to include procedures for the timely
notification of the patient's primary care provider of the services provided, or when a patient
does not have a primary care provider, documentation of a good faith effort to refer the
patient to a primary care provider.
New 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 a physician providing the service.
New law provides that new law shall not be construed to require reimbursement from a
health plan coverage or a third-party administrator or pharmacy benefit manager.
New law may apply to group plan coverage provided to a resident of this state regardless of
whether the health coverage plan policy, contract, or other agreement is delivered, issued for
delivery, or renewed in this state.
Effective August 1, 2024.
(Adds R.S. 37:1218.2)