Substitute Senate Bill No. 1102, Public Act No. 23-19, is an act concerning pharmacies and pharmacists, set to take effect on July 1, 2023. The bill amends Section 20-571 of the general statutes by adding new definitions, such as "administer," "automated prescription dispensing machine," "health care institution," and "deprescribing," and updating existing ones, including "device" and "drug." It also renumbers certain definitions to accommodate these changes. The bill expands the services pharmacists can provide, allowing them to order and administer COVID-19 and influenza tests, as well as HIV tests, and to prescribe and dispense HIV-related prophylaxis following a negative test result, with specific training requirements. It also outlines the procedures for reporting test results and maintaining records.

The bill introduces provisions for the operation of mobile pharmacies, which require department approval and supervision by a pharmacist, and sets forth requirements for drug storage, patient communication, and compliance with federal regulations. It mandates that pharmacies maintain a plan for managing unscheduled closings, detailing the responsibilities of pharmacy staff in such events, and allows for the dispensing of prescriptions during another pharmacy's unscheduled closing. Additionally, the bill allows for the placement of secured containers at pharmacies for patients to obtain prescriptions outside of pharmacy hours and expands the authority of pharmacists to administer vaccines. It also permits pharmacy technicians to administer vaccines under certain conditions and outlines procedures for sterile compounding pharmacies, including the need for department approval and compliance with USP chapters. The bill addresses the sale of hypodermic needles and syringes, updating the entities to whom they may be sold and the conditions under which they can be sold without a prescription. Lastly, the bill amends health insurance policy requirements to include coverage for hypodermic needles or syringes prescribed for medical conditions and establishes a state-wide HIV PrEP and PEP drug assistance program.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 20-571, 20-633, 20-594, 20-633b
GL Joint Favorable Substitute: 20-571, 20-633, 20-594, 20-633b
File No. 221: 20-571, 20-633, 20-594, 20-633b
Public Act No. 23-19: 20-571, 20-633, 20-594, 20-633b