Senate Bill 42 aims to expand the role of pharmacists in Wisconsin by allowing them to prescribe and dispense hormonal contraceptive patches and self-administered oral hormonal contraceptives to individuals aged 18 and older. The bill mandates the Pharmacy Examining Board to establish rules for this process, which must include a self-assessment questionnaire for patients, developed in line with guidelines from the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. This questionnaire will inform patients that hormonal contraceptives do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases and recommend annual consultations with a healthcare provider. Additionally, pharmacists must report to the patient's primary healthcare practitioner after prescribing and ensure that the contraceptive is dispensed promptly.

The bill also includes provisions for malpractice liability insurance for pharmacists who prescribe contraceptives and requires the Department of Health Services (DHS) to ensure that contraceptives prescribed by pharmacists are covered under the Medical Assistance program. The legislation modifies existing statutes, including changing the title of section 450.095 from "Duty to dispense" to "Prescribing and dispensing of contraceptives," and introduces penalties for violations of the new rules. Emergency rule-making procedures are also extended to facilitate the implementation of this act, which is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 450.095(title), 450.095, 450.095(3)