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CS/CS/HB 599 — Consultant Pharmacists
by Health and Human Services Committee; Health Quality Subcommittee and Rep. Rodriquez, A.M. (CS/CS/SB 1094 by Appropriations Committee; Health Policy Committee; and Senator Diaz)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Health Policy Committee (HP)
The bill (Chapter 2020-8, L.O.F.) expands the scope of practice of consultant pharmacists. Under the bill, a pharmacist must complete additional training as required by the Board of Pharmacy to be licensed as a consultant pharmacist. A consultant pharmacist may provide medication management services in a health care facility within the framework of a written collaborative practice agreement between the pharmacist and a health care facility medical director, or a physician, podiatrist, or dentist who is authorized to prescribe medicinal drugs.
For the purpose of such authority, the bill defines the term “health care facility” to include:
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An ambulatory surgical center or hospital licensed under ch. 395, F.S.;
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An alcohol or chemical dependency treatment center licensed under ch. 397, F.S.;
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An inpatient hospice licensed under ch. 400, part IV, F.S.;
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A nursing home licensed under ch. 400, part II, F.S.;
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An ambulatory care center as defined in s. 408.07, F.S.; and
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A nursing home component under ch. 400, F.S., within a continuing care facility licensed under ch. 651, F.S.
A consultant pharmacist may only provide medication management services, conduct patient assessments, and order and evaluate laboratory or clinical testing for patients of the health care practitioner with whom the consultant pharmacist has a written collaborative practice agreement.
A written collaborative practice agreement must outline the circumstances under which the consultant pharmacist may:
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Order and evaluate laboratory or clinical tests to promote and evaluate patient health and wellness and monitor drug therapy and treatment outcomes;
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Conduct patient assessments as appropriate to evaluate and monitor drug therapy;
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Modify or discontinue medicinal drugs as outlined in the agreed-upon, patient-specific order or preapproved treatment protocol under the direction of a physician; and
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Administer medicinal drugs.
The bill prohibits a consultant pharmacist from modifying or discontinuing medicinal drugs prescribed by a health care practitioner who does not have a written collaborative practice agreement with the consultant pharmacist. The bill does not authorize a consultant pharmacist to diagnose any disease or condition.
The consultant pharmacist is also responsible for, and must maintain, all drug, patient care, and quality assurance records, and, with the collaborating practitioner, must maintain any written collaborative practice agreements which he or she has entered into and make them available upon request for inspection by the Department of Health.
This bill was approved by the Governor on March 11, 2020, and takes effect July 1, 2020.
Vote: Senate 40-0; House 115-2