This bill amends the General Laws to establish a framework for pharmacists to prescribe and dispense FDA-approved tobacco cessation drug therapies. It introduces a new section, 5-19.1-37, which outlines the qualifications for pharmacists, including the completion of tobacco cessation education approved by the state board of pharmacy and the requirement to refer high-risk patients to their primary care providers. The bill defines a "qualified patient" as someone who is at least 18 years old, willing to participate in a structured cessation program, and educated on the symptoms of nicotine toxicity and the common and/or severe adverse effects of prescribed medications.

Additionally, the bill mandates that all group health insurance contracts and medical expense insurance policies provide coverage for tobacco cessation drug therapies and pharmacists' services starting January 1, 2026. This includes ensuring that health plans have an adequate number of pharmacists in their networks and that services provided by pharmacists are reimbursed without requiring supervision or referral from other healthcare providers. The act is set to take effect upon passage, promoting access to tobacco cessation resources and support through pharmacists and health insurance coverage.