This bill aims to regulate the provision of pharmaceutical services in long-term care facilities in New Jersey by codifying existing Department of Health regulations and introducing new requirements to mitigate conflicts of interest. Each long-term care facility is mandated to have a consultant pharmacist and either a provider pharmacist or a director of pharmaceutical services if an in-house pharmacy exists. The bill stipulates that a New Jersey licensed pharmacist must fulfill these roles and comply with relevant federal and state laws and standards. Additionally, it requires the establishment of an interdisciplinary pharmacy and therapeutics committee, which must include the facility's administrator, a nursing staff representative, and the consultant pharmacist, with meetings held at least quarterly.

A significant addition in the bill is the requirement for the consultant pharmacist to be independent from the director of pharmaceutical services and the provider pharmacist, ensuring that they do not have any affiliations that could lead to conflicts of interest. The consultant pharmacist must attest to this independence and is expected to avoid any real or potential conflicts. Furthermore, the bill mandates that long-term care facilities maintain proper registrations for emergency controlled substances, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. The Commissioner of Health is tasked with adopting necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this act, which will take effect immediately upon passage.