Substitute Senate Bill No. 133, known as Public Act No. 24-73, is a comprehensive piece of legislation that introduces significant amendments to the regulation of prescription drugs and the roles of pharmacy professionals. The bill, effective October 1, 2024, includes the addition of new definitions such as "Advanced pharmacy technician," "Clerk," "Compatible drugs," and "Compliance packaging," and renumbers existing definitions to accommodate these changes. It also updates the language surrounding the pharmacy profession, clarifying terms like "Automated prescription dispensing machine," "Virtual manufacturer," and "Virtual wholesale distributor." The bill sets forth the requirements for pharmacy technicians to obtain an advanced designation, allowing them to perform certain duties under the supervision of a pharmacist, and mandates the registration of individuals working in areas where controlled substances or legend drugs are dispensed.

The legislation also details the scope of duties for clerks in pharmacies, the process for dispensing drugs in compliance packaging, and the conditions for redispensing previously dispensed drugs. It specifies the records pharmacies must maintain, the conditions under which pharmacy licenses and registrations may be refused or subjected to disciplinary actions, and the prohibition of returning drugs to general inventory unless legally permitted. Additionally, the bill outlines various fees associated with pharmacy operations and certifications, expands the authority of pharmacists and advanced pharmacy technicians in administering vaccines and tests, and sets requirements for the dispensing of HIV-related prophylaxis. It also establishes a task force to study the impact of unannounced retail pharmacy closures on patient access to prescriptions and repeals a section of a previous act.