2023 -- S 0292
========
LC001383
========
S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
____________
A N A C T
RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHARMACIES
Introduced By: Senators Valverde, Sosnowski, Lawson, Murray, Lauria, DiMario,
Miller, and Mack
Date Introduced: February 16, 2023
Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 5-19.1 of the General Laws entitled "Pharmacies" is hereby amended 1
by adding thereto the following section: 2
5-19.1-36. Tobacco cessation therapy prescriptive authority. 3
(a) A pharmacist who is licensed pursuant to this chapter and who meets the requirements 4
of this section may prescribe and dispense FDA-approved tobacco cessation drug therapies to a 5
qualified patient pursuant to rules and regulations adopted by the board of pharmacy, subject to the 6
approval of the director of health in consultation with the director of behavioral healthcare, 7
developmental disabilities and hospitals. 8
(b) For the purposes of this section, "qualified patient" means a patient who: 9
(1) Is at least eighteen (18) years of age; or of minimum age based on the most recent 10
guidance provided by the FDA; 11
(2) Is willing to participate in a structured tobacco cessation program consisting of an initial 12
evaluation and appropriate follow-up visits with the pharmacist prescribing tobacco cessation 13
products; and 14
(3) Has been educated on symptoms of nicotine toxicity, common and/or severe adverse 15
effects of prescribed medication(s), and when to seek medical treatment. 16
(c) Prior to prescribing tobacco cessation products, the pharmacist shall successfully 17
complete education on tobacco cessation therapy taught by a provider accredited by the 18
Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education or by a comparable provider recognized by the 19
LC001383 - Page 2 of 3
Board of Pharmacy. 1
(d) The pharmacist shall refer or consult prior to prescribing regarding high-risk patients 2
or patients with an identified contraindication to FDA-approved tobacco cessation drug therapies 3
to the patient's primary care provider, as applicable, or to another provider, as appropriate. 4
(e) All pharmacists participating in prescribing therapy for tobacco cessation shall follow 5
the most updated guidelines and standards of care as approved by the board of pharmacy, subject 6
to the approval subject to the approval of the director of health in consultation with the director of 7
behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals. 8
(1) Pharmacists will implement the most updated clinical practice guidelines to help 9
patients quit using all forms of tobacco. 10
(2) Pharmacists' services will include an educational component to include counseling on 11
medication therapies and cessation strategies as well as referral to sources provided by the Rhode 12
Island department of health. 13
(f) Notification of the patient screening, the prescription record and the follow-up care plan 14
shall be provided to the patient's primary care provider, as applicable, within five (5) business days 15
following the prescribing of a tobacco cessation product. 16
(g) The definition of a qualified patient is subject to adaptation pursuant to rules and 17
regulations adopted by the board of pharmacy, subject to the approval of the director of health in 18
consultation with the director of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals. 19
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 20
========
LC001383
========
LC001383 - Page 3 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHARMACIES
***
This act would add a new section which sets forth conditions for pharmacists to prescribe 1
tobacco cessation drug therapies. 2
This act would take effect upon passage. 3
========
LC001383
========