HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF ANALYSIS
BILL #: CS/CS/HB 159 HIV Infection Prevention Drugs
SPONSOR(S): Health & Human Services Committee, Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee, Franklin
TIED BILLS: IDEN./SIM. BILLS:
REFERENCE ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF
1) Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee 14 Y, 0 N, As CS Osborne McElroy
2) Health & Human Services Committee 19 Y, 0 N, As CS Osborne Calamas
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
Pharmacy is the third largest health profession in the US, following only nursing and medicine. In Florida, the
Board of Pharmacy (BOP), in conjunction with the Department of Health (DOH), regulates the practice of
pharmacy. Pharmacist’s scope of practice includes the compounding, dispensing, and consulting of patients
concerning contents, therapeutic values, and uses of a medicinal drug.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is an immune system debilitating virus that affects specific cells of the
immune system and over time the virus can destroy so many of these cells that the body cannot fight off
infections and disease. If not properly treated, HIV can lead to fatal acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
(AIDS). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 1.2 million people in
the United States currently living with HIV.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) are two biomedical prevention
strategies for people without HIV. PrEP is taken before HIV exposure and for people who do not have HIV but
are at a high risk of exposure to HIV, PrEP can be used to significantly reduce risk of HIV infection. PrEP is
available in two forms: a daily oral medication and a long-acting injectable delivered once every two months.
PEP is taken after a person has been exposed to HIV. PEP is intended for use in emergency situations, and is
not meant for frequent use by people who are at high risk of HIV exposure. When taken within 72 hours of HIV
exposure, PEP significantly reduces risk of HIV infection.
CS/CS/HB 159 allows licensed pharmacists to screen adults for HIV exposure and provide the results of such
screening. A pharmacist who has screened a patient for HIV must advise the patient to seek further medical
consultation or treatment from a physician.
The bill also establishes a process by which a pharmacist may become certified to order and dispense
postexposure prophylaxis under a collaborative practice agreement with a physician. The bill establishes
minimum criteria for the certification which a pharmacist must obtain before they may order and dispense HIV
infection prevention drugs. The bill outlines minimum requirements for the contents of the collaborative practice
agreement, and requires pharmacies in which a pharmacist is providing services under such an agreement to
submit an access-to-care plan to the BOP and DOH.
The bill directs the BOP to develop rules to implement the provisions of the bill.
The bill has an insignificant, negative fiscal impact on DOH, and no fiscal impact on local governments.
The bill provides an effective date of July 1, 2024.
This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives .
STORAGE NAME: h0159c.HHS
DATE: 2/15/2024
FULL ANALYSIS
I. SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES:
Background
Pharmacist Licensure and Regulation
Pharmacy is the third largest health profession in the US, following only nursing and medicine. 1 The Board
of Pharmacy (BOP), in conjunction with the Department of Health (DOH), regulates the practice of
pharmacists pursuant to ch. 465, F.S. To be licensed as a pharmacist, a person must: 2
Complete an application and remit an examination fee;
Be at least 18 years of age;
Hold a degree from an accredited and approved school or college of pharmacy; 3
Have completed a Board-approved internship; and
Successfully complete the Board-approved examination.
A pharmacist must complete at least 30 hours of Board-approved continuing education during each
biennial renewal period.4 Pharmacists who are certified to administer vaccines or epinephrine auto-
injections must complete a three-hour continuing education course on the safe and effective administration
of vaccines and epinephrine injections as a part of the biennial licensure renewal. 5 Pharmacists who
administer long-acting antipsychotic medications must complete an approved eight-hour continuing
education course as a part of the continuing education for biennial licensure renewal.6 All pharmacists are
required to complete a one-hour continuing education course on HIV/AIDS as a part of their first licensure
renewal.7
Pharmacist Scope of Practice
In Florida, the practice of the profession of pharmacy includes:8
Compounding, dispensing, and consulting concerning contents, therapeutic values, and uses of a
medicinal drug;
Consulting concerning therapeutic values and interactions of patent or proprietary preparations;
Monitoring a patient’s drug therapy and assisting the patient in the management of his or her drug
therapy, including the review of the patient’s drug therapy and communication with the patient’s
prescribing health care provider or other persons specifically authorized by the patient, regarding
the drug therapy;
Transmitting information from prescribers to their patients;
Administering vaccines to adults;9
Administering epinephrine injections;10 and
1 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, Ab out AACP. Available at https://www.aacp.org/about-aacp (last visited January 31,
2024).
2
S. 465.007, F.S.
3 Id. If the applicant has graduated from a 4-year undergraduate pharmacy program of a school or college of pharmacy located outside
the United States, the applicant must demonstrate proficiency in English, pass the board -approved Foreign Pharmacy Graduate
Equivalency Examination, and complete a minimum of 500 hours in a supervised work activity program within Florida under the
supervision of a DOH-licensed pharmacist.
4 S. 465.009, F.S.
5 S. 465.009(6), F.S.
6 S. 465.1893, F.S.
7 See, Board of Pharmacy, Pharmacist: Continuing Education Requirements. Available at
https://floridaspharmacy.gov/renewals/pharmacist/#tab-ce (last visited January 31, 2024).
8 S. 465.003(13), F.S.
9 See s. 465.189, F.S.
10 Id.
STORAGE NAME: h0159c.HHS PAGE: 2
DATE: 2/15/2024
Administering antipsychotic medications by injection. 11
A pharmacist may not alter a prescriber’s directions, diagnose or treat any disease, initiate any drug
therapy, or practice medicine or osteopathic medicine, unless permitted by law.12
Pharmacists may order and dispense drugs that are included in a formulary developed by a committee
composed of members of the Board of Medicine, the Board of Osteopathic Medicine, and the BOP. The
formulary may only include:13
Any medicinal drug of single or multiple active ingredients in any strengths when such active
ingredients have been approved individually or in combination for over-the-counter sale by the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA);
Any medicinal drug recommended by the FDA Advisory Panel for transfer to over-the-counter
status pending approval by the FDA;
Any medicinal drug containing any antihistamine or decongestant as a single active ingredient or in
combination;
Any medicinal drug containing fluoride in any strength;
Any medicinal drug containing lindane in any strength;
Any over-the-counter proprietary drug under federal law that has been approved for reimbursement
by the Florida Medicaid Program; and
Any topical anti-infectives, excluding eye and ear topical anti-infectives
A pharmacist may order the following, within his or her professional judgment and subject to the conditions
established by rule:14
Certain oral analgesics for mild to moderate pain. The prescription is limited to a six-day supply for
one treatment of:
o Magnesium salicylate/phenyltoloxamine citrate.
o Acetylsalicylic acid (Zero order release, long acting tablets).
o Choline salicylate and magnesium salicylate.
o Naproxen sodium.
o Naproxen.
o Ibuprofen.
Certain urinary analgesics, not exceeding a two (2) day supply;
Otic analgesics. Antipyrine 5.4%, benzocaine 1.4%, glycerin, if clinical signs or symptoms of
tympanic membrane perforation do not exist. The product shall be labeled for use in the ear only;
Anti-nausea preparations;
Certain antihistamines and decongestants;
Certain topical antifungal;/antibacterial treatments;
Topical anti-inflammatory treatments;
Certain otic antifungal/antibacterial treatments.
Keratolytics for the treatment of warts, except in patients under age two, or with diabetes or
impaired circulation;
Vitamins with fluoride, excluding vitamins with folic acid in excess of 0.9 mg;
Medicinal shampoos containing lindane for the treatment of head lice;
Certain ophthalmic solutions;
Certain histamine H12 antagonists;
Certain acne products; and
Topical antiviral to treat herpes simplex infections of the lips.
11 S. 465.1893, F.S.
12 S. 465.003, F.S.
13 S. 456.186, F.S.
14 Rule 64B16-27.220, F.A.C.
STORAGE NAME: h0159c.HHS PAGE: 3
DATE: 2/15/2024
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is an immune system debilitating virus that affects specific cells of
the immune system and over time the virus can destroy so many of these cells that the body cannot fight
off infections and disease. If not properly treated, HIV can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
(AIDS), the third and most severe stage of HIV infection. Without proper treatment, people with AIDS
typically survive only three years.15
There is currently no effective cure for HIV. Once a person has HIV, they have it for life.16 The symptoms
and transmission of HIV can be mitigated through medication. 17 When HIV is controlled through
medication, the risk of transmission is close to zero. People who have HIV and are not on medication and
do not have consistent control of their HIV can transmit the virus through sex, sharing of needles used for
IV drug use, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.18
A person can mitigate their risk of contracting HIV through various prevention strategies. Using condoms
correctly during every sexual encounter, not using intravenous drugs, and if you do, using clean needles
significantly reduce one’s risk for contracting HIV. For pregnant women with HIV, taking the appropriate
HIV medication reduces the change of transmitting HIV to the infant to less than one percent.19
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 1.2 million people in the
United States currently living with HIV.20 HIV disproportionately impacts certain segments of the US
population, particularly those who live in the Southern US, including Black and Hispanic Americans, men
who have sex with men, transgender people, people who use drugs, and rural communities. 21
PrEP and PEP
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) are two biomedical prevention
strategies for people without HIV. “Prophylaxis” means to prevent or control the spread of an infection of
disease, and pre- and post-exposure refers to when the treatment is taken in relation to HIV exposure.
PrEP is taken before HIV exposure and for people who do not have HIV but are at a high risk of exposure
to HIV, PrEP can be used to significantly reduce risk of contracting HIV. A person may have a high risk of
exposure to HIV through sex with a partner who is HIV-positive or through IV drug use. PrEP is available in
two forms: a daily oral medication and a long-acting injectable delivered once every two months. Studies
have shown that consistent use of PrEP reduces the risk of contracting HIV from sex by approximately 99
percent, and from IV drug use by at least 74 percent.22
PEP is a medication that is taken soon after exposure to HIV to prevent HIV infection in people who are
HIV negative or do not know their HIV status. PEP must be taken within 72 hours of exposure, and should
15 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ab out HIV. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/whatishiv.html (last visited
January 31, 2024).
16 Id.
17
Medications for treating HIV help people with HIV live longer, healthier lives, and reduce the risk of HIV transmission. Howe ver, they
can have significant side effects, and different people may react to the same medication ver y differently. For more information on HIV
medications and their side effects . See, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Side Effects of HIV Medicines (2021). Available at
https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets/hiv-medicines-and-side-effects (last visited February 2, 2024).
18 National Institutes of Health (NIH), HIV and AIDS: The Basics (2023). Available at https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-
sheets/hiv-and-aids-basics (last visited January 31, 2024).
19 National Institutes of Health (NIH), The Basics of HIV Prevention (2023). Available at https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-
sheets/basics-hiv-prevention (last visited January 31, 2024).
20 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HIV Surveillance Report: Estimated HIV Incidence and Prevalence in the United States,
2015-2019 (2021). Available at https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pdf/library/reports/surveillance/cdc-hiv-surveillance-supplemental-report-vol-26-
1.pdf (last visited January 31, 2024).
21 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HIV Surveillance Report: Diagnoses of HIV Infection in the United States and
Dependent Areas, 2021 (2023). Available at https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/library/reports/hiv-surveillance/vol-34/index.html (last visited
January 31, 2024). For more information on the growing prevalence of HIV in rural communities, see, Schafer, et al., The Continuum of
HIV Care in Rural Communities in the United States and Canada: What Is Known and Future Research Directions (2019). Journal of
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, 75(1): 35-44. doi: 10.1097/QAI.0000000000001329
22 National Institutes of Health (NIH), Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) (2023). Available at https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-
hiv/fact-sheets/pre-exposure-prophylaxis-prep (last visited January 31, 2024).
STORAGE NAME: h0159c.HHS PAGE: 4
DATE: 2/15/2024
be taken as soon after exposure as possible. PEP is intended for use in emergency situations, and is not
meant for frequent use by people who are at high risk of HIV exposure. PEP is taken for 28 days following
HIV exposure.23
PEP may be prescribed to someone who, in the last 72 hours: 24
May have been exposed to HIV during sex;
Shared needles or other equipment to inject drugs;
Were sexually assaulted; or
May have been exposed to HIV at work.25
PEP is the only HIV prevention method that can be taken after exposure to HIV. When treatment is started
within 72 hours of exposure, PEP is estimated to be more than 90 percent effective. 26
At least 12 states have passed legislation allowing pharmacists to directly administer either PrEP or PEP to
patients under certain circumstances.27
Effect of the Bill
CS/CS/HB 159 allows licensed pharmacists to screen adults for HIV exposure and provide the results of
such screening. A pharmacist who has screened a patient for HIV must advise the patient to seek further
medical consultation or treatment from a physician. The bill also establishes a process by which a
pharmacist may become certified to order and dispense postexposure prophylaxis under a collaborative
practice agreement with a physician. Postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a drug or drug combination that
meets the clinical eligibility recommendations of the United States Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention guidelines for antiretroviral treatment following potential exposure to HIV.
Certification
The bill requires a pharmacist to be certified by the BOP before they order and dispense PEP under a
collaborative practice agreement with a physician. The BOP, in conjunction with the Board of Medicine and
Board of Osteopathic Medicine, must adopt rules for the certification. To be certified, a pharmacist must, at
a minimum:
Hold an active and unencumbered license to practice pharmacy;
Be engaged in the active practice of pharmacy;
Have earned a doctorate of pharmacy degree or have completed at least 3 years of experience as
a licensed pharmacist;
Maintain at least $250,000 of liability coverage;28 and
Have completed a course approved by the board, in consultation with the Board of Medicine and
the Board of Osteopathic Medicine, which includes, at a minimum, instruction on all of the following:
o Performance of patient assessments;
o Point-of-care testing procedures;