Assembly Bill 43 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 includes the use of a self-assessment questionnaire based on guidelines from the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. This questionnaire must inform patients that hormonal contraceptives do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases and recommend annual consultations with a healthcare provider. Additionally, pharmacists are required to report prescriptions to the patient's primary healthcare practitioner and ensure that a blood pressure screening is conducted before prescribing.

The bill also includes provisions for malpractice liability insurance for pharmacists who prescribe contraceptives and ensures that any contraceptives covered under the Medical Assistance program are reimbursed when prescribed by pharmacists. The title of the relevant statute is amended to reflect the new focus on prescribing and dispensing contraceptives, and penalties for violations of the new rules are established, with fines ranging from $250 to $2,500. Emergency rule-making authority is granted to the Pharmacy Examining Board to implement these changes, with specific provisions allowing these rules to remain in effect until permanent rules are established. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

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