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§ 390-9.2. Authority to administer injectable medications, biologicals and immunizations

Purdon's Pennsylvania Statutes and Consolidated StatutesTitle 63 P.S. Professions and Occupations (State Licensed)Effective: July 11, 2022

Purdon's Pennsylvania Statutes and Consolidated Statutes
Title 63 P.S. Professions and Occupations (State Licensed) (Refs & Annos)
Chapter 11. Pharmacy Act (Refs & Annos)
Effective: July 11, 2022
63 P.S. § 390-9.2
§ 390-9.2. Authority to administer injectable medications, biologicals and immunizations
(a) The board shall by regulation establish education and training standards and practice guidelines pursuant to which pharmacists shall be authorized to administer injectable medications, biologicals and immunizations to persons who are more than eighteen years of age and influenza and COVID-19 immunizations by injectable or needle-free delivery methods to persons five years of age and older. Such standards and guidelines shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) Satisfactory completion of an academic and practical curriculum approved by the board that includes the current guidelines and recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the Public Health Service of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education or a similar health authority or professional body and includes, but is not limited to, disease epidemiology, vaccine characteristics, injection technique, emergency response to adverse events and related topics.
(2) Maintenance of a current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificate acceptable to the board.
(3) That the administration of injectable medications, biologicals and immunizations be in accordance with a definitive set of treatment guidelines established by a physician and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices guidelines or another competent authority approved by the board.
(4) That a minimum of two hours of the thirty-hour requirement for continuing education for license renewal be dedicated to this area of practice.
(5) For individuals under eighteen years of age, that parental consent be obtained prior to administration. Administration of influenza and COVID-19 immunizations by injectable or needle-free delivery methods shall be in accordance with the immunization schedule established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
(6) Maintenance of a level of professional liability insurance coverage in the minimum amount of one million dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence or claims made. Failure to maintain insurance coverage as required shall subject the licensees to disciplinary proceedings. The board shall accept as satisfactory evidence of insurance coverage any of the following:
(i) personally purchased liability insurance;
(ii) professional liability insurance coverage provided by the individual licensee's employer; or
(iii) similar insurance coverage acceptable to the board.
(7) Notification of the individual's primary care provider, if known, within forty-eight hours of administration.
(b) Except as provided under subsection (e), a pharmacist's authority to administer injectable medications, biologicals and immunizations shall not be delegated to any other person. A pharmacy intern who has completed a course of education and training which meets the requirements of subsection (a)(1) and (2) may administer injectable medications, biologicals and immunizations to persons who are more than eighteen years of age and influenza and COVID-19 immunizations by injectable or needle-free delivery methods to persons five years of age and older only under the direct, immediate and personal supervision of a pharmacist holding the authority to administer injectable medications, biologicals and immunizations or a physician, physician assistant or certified registered nurse practitioner.
(c) A supervising pharmacist shall report the administration of immunizations under this section to the immunization registry maintained by the Department of Health within seventy-two hours of immunization administration and to the individual's primary care provider in accordance with subsection (a)(7). Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit a supervising pharmacist from delegating the reporting of immunization administration to a pharmacy intern.
(d) A pharmacist or pharmacy intern who administers an influenza or COVID-19 immunization to an individual under eighteen years of age shall inform the parent or adult caregiver of the importance of a well-child visit with a pediatrician or other licensed primary care provider and refer the patient as appropriate.
(e) A pharmacist who holds the authority to administer injectable medications, biologicals and immunizations may delegate the authority to administer influenza and COVID-19 immunizations to a certified registered nurse practitioner, physician assistant, registered nurse or licensed practical nurse.

Credits

1961, Sept. 27, P.L. 1700, § 9.2, added 2002, June 29, P.L. 673, No. 102, § 2, effective in 60 days. Amended 2015, June 26, P.L. 29, No. 8, § 1, effective in 60 days [Aug. 25, 2015]; 2022, July 11, P.L. 1224, No. 80, § 1, imd. effective.
63 P.S. § 390-9.2, PA ST 63 P.S. § 390-9.2
Current through the end of the 2023 Regular Session. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
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