An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Drugs and Vaccines Administered by Pharmacists
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 32 MRSA §13831, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2011, c. 577, §3, is further amended to read:
2. Administration of other vaccines. A pharmacist licensed in this State who meets the qualifications and requirements of section 13832 and rules adopted by the board, in addition to influenza vaccines under subsection 1, may administer vaccines licensed by the United States Food and Drug Administration that are recommended by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or successor organization, for administration to adults to a person 18 9 years of age or older according to a valid prescription when the person has an existing primary care physician or other existing relationship with a nurse practitioner or an authorized practitioner in this State. When the person does not have an existing relationship with a primary care physician, nurse practitioner or other practitioner in this State, the pharmacist may proceed to administer according to a treatment protocol established by an authorized practitioner or a written standing order from a practitioner authorized under the laws of this State to issue an order, a prescription or a protocol to a person 18 9 years of age or older for vaccines licensed by the United States Food and Drug Administration that are recommended by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or successor organization, for administration to adults a person 9 years of age or older.
Sec. 2. 32 MRSA §13834, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2011, c. 577, §7, is further amended to read:
1. Delegate authority. A pharmacist may not delegate the pharmacist's authority to administer drugs or vaccines ; except that a pharmacist licensed under this chapter who has obtained a certificate of administration pursuant to section 13832 may delegate the authority to administer drugs and vaccines to a pharmacy intern who is under that pharmacist's direct supervision.
summary
This bill allows a pharmacist to administer certain vaccines to a person 9 years of age or older according to a valid prescription. Current law allows a pharmacist to administer these vaccines to a person 18 years of age or older.
This bill also allows a pharmacy intern to administer drugs and vaccines under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist who is certified for the administration of drugs and vaccines.