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A210, R238, S628
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill
Sponsors: Senator Davis
Document Path: l:\s-res\td\010phar.sp.td.docx
Companion/Similar bill(s): 151, 3175
Introduced in the Senate on March 2, 2021
Introduced in the House on April 27, 2021
Last Amended on May 12, 2022
Passed by the General Assembly on May 12, 2022
Governor's Action: May 23, 2022, Signed
Summary: Pharmacy Access Act
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number
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3/2/2021 Senate Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 7)
3/2/2021 Senate Referred to Committee on Medical Affairs
(Senate Journal-page 7)
3/10/2021 Senate Committee report: Favorable with amendment Medical
Affairs (Senate Journal-page 10)
3/11/2021 Scrivener's error corrected
3/31/2021 Senate Committee Amendment Adopted (Senate Journal-page 50)
3/31/2021 Senate Amended (Senate Journal-page 50)
4/8/2021 Amended (Senate Journal-page 55)
4/8/2021 Senate Read second time (Senate Journal-page 55)
4/8/2021 Senate Roll call Ayes-40 Nays-0 (Senate Journal-page 55)
4/9/2021 Scrivener's error corrected
4/22/2021 Senate Read third time and sent to House
(Senate Journal-page 10)
4/27/2021 House Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 85)
4/27/2021 House Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry
(House Journal-page 85)
3/10/2022 House Recalled from Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry
(House Journal-page 78)
3/10/2022 House Referred to Committee on Medical, Military, Public and
Municipal Affairs (House Journal-page 78)
4/27/2022 House Committee report: Favorable with amendment Medical,
Military, Public and Municipal Affairs
(House Journal-page 6)
5/3/2022 House Requests for debate-Rep(s). Tedder, Rutherford, JA
Moore, Long, Ott, Hart, Bernstein, S Williams, Rivers,
Henegan, McDaniel, Gilliard, Clyburn, Hosey, JL
Johnson, Kirby, KO Johnson, Wheeler, Jefferson, Hill
(House Journal-page 62)
5/4/2022 House Requests for debate removed-Rep(s). Tedder, Bernstein,
Gilliard, Rivers, K.O. Johnson, Hart, Jefferson,
Henegan, Hosey, Wheeler, Rutherford and J.L. Johnson
(House Journal-page 38)
5/4/2022 House Amended (House Journal-page 137)
5/4/2022 House Read second time (House Journal-page 137)
5/4/2022 House Roll call Yeas-74 Nays-29 (House Journal-page 137)
5/5/2022 Scrivener's error corrected
5/5/2022 House Read third time and returned to Senate with amendments
(House Journal-page 101)
5/11/2022 Senate House amendment amended (Senate Journal-page 91)
5/11/2022 Senate Roll call Ayes-40 Nays-0 (Senate Journal-page 91)
5/11/2022 Senate Roll call Ayes-40 Nays-0 (Senate Journal-page 91)
5/11/2022 Senate Roll call Ayes-40 Nays-0 (Senate Journal-page 91)
5/11/2022 Senate Returned to House with amendments
(Senate Journal-page 91)
5/12/2022 House Non-concurrence in Senate amendment
(House Journal-page 147)
5/12/2022 House Roll call Yeas-1 Nays-102 (House Journal-page 148)
5/12/2022 Senate Senate insists upon amendment and conference committee
appointed Davis, Cromer, Hutto
(Senate Journal-page 116)
5/12/2022 House Conference committee appointed Jordan, Ott, Lowe
(House Journal-page 129)
5/12/2022 House Conference report received and adopted
(House Journal-page 167)
5/12/2022 House Roll call Yeas-91 Nays-12 (House Journal-page 179)
5/12/2022 Senate Conference report received and adopted
(Senate Journal-page 119)
5/12/2022 House Ordered enrolled for ratification
5/18/2022 Ratified R 238
5/23/2022 Signed By Governor
6/1/2022 Effective date See Act for Effective Date
6/1/2022 Act No. 210
View the latest legislative information at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
3/2/2021
3/10/2021
3/11/2021
3/31/2021
4/8/2021
4/9/2021
4/27/2022
5/4/2022
5/5/2022
5/11/2022
5/12/2022
(A210, R238, S628)
AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, TO ENACT THE "PHARMACY ACCESS ACT", BY ADDING SECTIONS 40-43-210, 40-43-230, 40-43-240, 40-43-250, 40-43-260, AND 40-43-270 SO AS TO ALLOW PHARMACIES TO ADMINISTER AND DISPENSE CERTAIN HORMONAL CONTRACEPTION TO PATIENTS PURSUANT TO A STANDING ORDER AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH A WRITTEN JOINT PROTOCOL ISSUED BY THE BOARD OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS AND BOARD OF PHARMACY, TO BE ISSUED WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE ACT; TO SET FORTH CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS FOR THE WRITTEN JOINT PROTOCOL; TO REQUIRE PHARMACISTS TO OBTAIN A SCREENING SELF-ASSESSMENT FROM A PATIENT BEFORE ADMINISTERING OR DISPENSING HORMONAL CONTRACEPTION; TO PROVIDE CERTAIN LIMITATIONS FROM LIABILITY AND PROFESSIONAL DISCIPLINE FOR PRESCRIBERS AND PHARMACISTS; TO DEFINE TERMS; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES; BY ADDING SECTION 44-6-115 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE MEDICAID PROGRAM TO COVER PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES THAT INCLUDE ACCESS TO HORMONAL CONTRACEPTION; AND BY ADDING SECTION 40-43-195 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE PERMITTING OF CENTRAL FILL PHARMACIES TO FILL PRESCRIPTION DRUG ORDERS AT THE REQUEST OF AN ORIGINATING PHARMACY; TO DEFINE TERMS; TO ESTABLISH CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS REGARDING THE USE AND OPERATION OF CENTRAL FILL PHARMACIES; TO REQUIRE CERTAIN RECORD KEEPING; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
Citation
SECTION 1. This act shall be referred to as the "Pharmacy Access Act".
Pharmacy Access Act
SECTION 2. Chapter 43, Title 40 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 40-43-210. As used in this chapter:
(1) 'Administer' has the same meaning as in Section 40-43-30.
(2) 'Department' means the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
(3) 'Dispense' has the same meaning as in Section 40-43-30.
(4) 'Injectable hormonal contraceptive' means a drug composed of a hormone or a combination of hormones that is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration to prevent pregnancy and that a practitioner administers to a patient by injection. 'Injectable hormonal contraceptive' does not include any drug intended to terminate a pregnancy.
(5) 'Patient counseling' has the same meaning as in Section 40-43-30.
(6) 'Pharmacist' has the same meaning as in Section 40-43-30.
(7) 'Practitioner' has the same meaning as in Section 40-47-20.
(8) 'Prescriber' means a physician licensed pursuant to Chapter 47, Title 40; an advanced practice registered nurse licensed pursuant to Chapter 33, Title 40 and prescribing in accordance with the requirements of that chapter; or a physician assistant licensed pursuant to Article 7, Chapter 47, Title 40 and prescribing in accordance with the requirements of that article.
(9) 'Self-administered hormonal contraceptive' means a drug composed of a hormone or a combination of hormones that is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration to prevent pregnancy and that the patient to whom the drug is prescribed may administer to himself. 'Self-administered hormonal contraceptive' includes an oral hormonal contraceptive, a hormonal vaginal ring, and a hormonal contraceptive patch. 'Self-administered hormonal contraceptive' does not include any drug intended to terminate a pregnancy.
Section 40-43-230. (A) A person licensed under the South Carolina Pharmacy Practice Act who is acting in good faith and exercising reasonable care as a pharmacist and who is employed by a hospital or a pharmacy that is permitted by this State may dispense a self-administered hormonal contraceptive or administer an injectable hormonal contraceptive pursuant to a standing order by a prescriber to a patient who is:
(1) eighteen years of age or older; or
(2) under eighteen years of age if the person has evidence of a previous prescription from a practitioner for a self-administered hormonal contraceptive or an injectable hormonal contraceptive.
(B) Nothing in this section requires a pharmacist to dispense a self-administered hormonal contraceptive or administer an injectable hormonal contraceptive. Nothing in this article shall be construed to amend a pharmacist's duties to dispense or otherwise provide contraception prescribed by another provider.
Section 40-43-240. (A) The Board of Medical Examiners and the Board of Pharmacy must issue a written joint protocol to authorize a pharmacist to dispense a self-administered hormonal contraceptive or administer an injectable hormonal contraceptive without a patient-specific written order.
(B) The written joint protocol must address, at a minimum, the following requirements:
(1) education or training requirements that the Board of Medical Examiners and the Board of Pharmacy determine to be necessary for a pharmacist to dispense a self-administered hormonal contraceptive or administer an injectable hormonal contraceptive;
(2) information that a pharmacist must provide to a patient prior to dispensing a self-administered hormonal contraceptive or administering an injectable hormonal contraceptive and confirmation that the required information was provided to the patient;
(3) documentation regarding the dispensing of a self-administered hormonal contraceptive or the administering of an injectable hormonal contraceptive;
(4) notification to a patient's designated practitioner that a self-administered hormonal contraceptive was dispensed to the patient or that an injectable hormonal contraceptive was administered to the patient;
(5) evaluation and review of the dispensing and administration practices used by pharmacists authorized to dispense a self-administered hormonal contraceptive or administer an injectable hormonal contraceptive; and
(6) any additional provisions that the Board of Medical Examiners and the Board of Pharmacy determine to be necessary or appropriate for inclusion in the protocol, including any reporting requirements.
(C) For each new patient requesting contraception and at least every twelve months for each returning patient, the written joint protocol must require a pharmacist dispensing or administering contraceptives pursuant to this chapter to:
(1) obtain a completed self-screening risk assessment;
(2) utilize a standardized procedure as established by the Board of Medical Examiners and the Board of Pharmacy to perform a patient assessment;
(3) dispense, if clinically appropriate, a self-administered hormonal contraceptive or administer an injectable hormonal contraceptive, or refer the patient to a practitioner;
(4) provide the patient with a visit summary;
(5) advise the patient to consult with a practitioner;
(6) refer any patient who may be subject to abuse to the appropriate social services agency; and
(7) ensure that the pharmacy provides appropriate space to prevent the spread of infection and ensure confidentiality.
(D) The Board of Medical Examiners and the Board of Pharmacy may appoint an advisory committee of health care professionals licensed in this State to advise and assist in the development of the joint protocol for their consideration.
Section 40-43-250. (A) Prior to dispensing self-administered hormonal contraceptives or administering injectable hormonal contraceptives pursuant to Section 40-43-240, a pharmacist must have completed a certificate program that has been accredited by the American Council for Pharmacy Education or a similar health authority or professional body approved by the Board of Pharmacy and the Board of Medical Examiners, as specified in the joint protocol, that is program-specific to self-administered hormonal contraceptives or injectable hormonal contraceptives, that includes the application of the United States Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, and that includes other Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance on contraception. To maintain eligibility, a pharmacist must complete at least one hour of continuing education per year that is offered by an entity approved by the Board of Medical Examiners and the Board of Pharmacy.
(B) An equivalent, curriculum-based training program completed on or after January 2021 in an accredited South Carolina pharmacy school satisfies the initial education requirement.
Section 40-43-260. (A) A pharmacist who dispenses a self-administered hormonal contraceptive or administers an injectable hormonal contraceptive pursuant to this chapter shall:
(1) obtain a completed self-screening risk assessment questionnaire that has been approved by the department, in collaboration with the Board of Pharmacy and the Board of Medical Examiners, from the patient before dispensing the self-administered hormonal contraceptive or administering the injectable hormonal contraceptive. If the results of the assessment indicate that it is unsafe to dispense a self-administered hormonal contraceptive or administer an injectable hormonal contraceptive to a patient, then the pharmacist may not dispense a self-administered hormonal contraceptive or administer an injectable hormonal contraceptive to the patient, shall refer the patient to a practitioner, and may not continue to dispense a self-administered hormonal contraceptive or administer an injectable hormonal contraceptive to the patient for more than twenty-four months after the date of the initial prescription without evidence that the patient has consulted with a practitioner during the preceding twenty-four months; and
(2) provide the patient with written information regarding:
(a) the importance of seeing the patient's practitioner annually to obtain recommended tests and screening;
(b) the effectiveness and availability of long-acting reversible contraceptives as an alternative to self-administered hormonal contraceptives or injectable hormonal contraceptives;
(c) a copy of the record of the encounter with the patient that includes the patient's completed assessment questionnaire pursuant to item (1);
(d) a description of the contraceptive dispensed or administered, or the basis for not dispensing or administering a contraceptive;
(e) the South Carolina Medicaid program and how to apply for Medicaid benefits; and
(f) the effectiveness of abstinence in preventing pregnancy and contracting a sexually transmitted infection or disease. The materials shall include the following: Abstinence is the choice not to have sex. This method is one hundred percent effective in preventing pregnancy and infection as long as all sexual contact is avoided, including vaginal, oral, and anal sex.
(B) If a pharmacist dispenses a self-administered hormonal contraceptive or administers an injectable hormonal contraceptive to a patient, then the pharmacist shall, at a minimum, provide patient counseling to the patient regarding:
(1) the appropriate administration and storage of a self-administered hormonal contraceptive, if appropriate;
(2) any potential side effects and risks of a self-administered hormonal contraceptive or injectable hormonal contraceptive;
(3) the need for backup contraception;
(4) when to seek emergency medical attention; and
(5) the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection or disease, along with ways to reduce the risk of contraction.
Section 40-43-270. (A) A prescriber who issues a standing prescription drug order in accordance with Section 40-43-260 is not liable for any civil damages for acts or omissions resulting from the dispensing of a self-administered hormonal contraceptive or the administering of an injectable hormonal contraceptive under this chapter.
(B) A pharmacist who dispenses a self-administered hormonal contraceptive or administers an injectable hormonal contraceptive in accordance with the provisions of this article is not as a result of an act or omission subject to civil or criminal liability or to professional disciplinary action."
Covered Medicaid pharmacy services
SECTION 3. Article 1, Chapter 6, Title 44 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 44-6-115. (A) Pharmacy services are a benefit under South Carolina Medicaid, subject to approval by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The department shall establish a fee schedule for the list of pharmacy services.
(B)(1) The following services are covered pharmacy services that may be provided to a Medicaid beneficiary:
(a) dispensing self-administered hormonal contraceptives, as outlined and authorized in Section 40-43-230; and
(b) administering injectable hormonal contraceptives, as outlined and authorized in Section 40-43-230.
(2) Covered pharmacy services shall be subject to department protocols and utilization controls.
(C) A pharmacist shall be enrolled as an ordering, referring, and dispensing provider under the Medicaid program prior to rendering a pharmacist service that is submitted by a Medicaid pharmacy provider for reimbursement pursuant to this section.
(D) The director of the department shall seek any necessary federal approvals to implement this section. This section shall not be implemented until the necessary federal approvals are obtained and shall be implemented only to the extent that federal financial participation is available.
(E) This section does not restrict or prohibit any services currently provided by pharmacists as authorized by law including, but not limited to, this chapter or the Medicaid state plan."
Written joint protocol
SECTION 4. The Board of Medical Examiners and the Board of Pharmacy must issue a written joint protocol pursuant to Section 40-43-240 not later than six months after the passage of this act.
Central fill pharmacies
SECTION 5. A. Chapter 43, Title 40 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 40-43-195. (A) For purposes of this section:
(1) 'Central fill' means the filling of a prescription drug order by one central fill pharmacy permitted by this State at the request of an originating pharmacy permitted by this State.
(2) 'Central fill pharmacy' means a permitted pharmacy facility that, upon the request of an originating pharmacy, fills a prescription drug order and returns the filled prescription to the originating pharmacy for delivery to the patient or patient's agent. A central fill pharmacy that returns filled prescriptions to an originating pharmacy must not be required to obtain a wholesaler/distributor permit.
(3) 'Originating pharmacy' means a pharmacy permitted by and located in this State that, upon receipt of a prescription drug order from a patient, requests a central fill pharmacy to fill the order and upon receipt of the filled prescription drug order, delivers the prescription to the patient or patient's agent.
(B)(1) An originating pharmacy permitted by this State may outsource a prescription drug order filling to a central fill pharmacy permitted by this State if the pharmacies:
(a) have the same owner or have entered into a written contract or agreement that outlines the services to be provided and the responsibilities and accountabilities of each pharmacy in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations;
(b) share a common electronic file or have appropriate technology to allow access to sufficient information necessary or required to dispense or process a prescription drug order;
(c) ensure all state and federal laws regarding patient confidentiality, network security, and use of shared databases are followed; and
(d) maintain the prescription information in a readily retrievable manner.
(2) The pharmacist-in-charge of a central fill pharmacy shall ensure that:
(a) the pharmacy maintains and uses adequate storage or shipment containers and shipping processes to ensure drug stability and potency. These shipping processes must include the use of appropriate packaging material or devices, or both, to ensure that the drug is maintained at an appropriate temperature range to maintain the integrity of the medication throughout the delivery process; and
(b) the filled prescriptions are shipped in containers that are sealed in a manner that would show evidence of having been opened or tampered with.
(3) To the extent that a central fill pharmacy dispenses controlled substances, the central fill pharmacy must obtain a registration from the Department of Health and Environmental Control, Bureau of Drug Control. Controlled substance prescriptions filled by a central fill pharmacy must comply with both state and federal statutes and regulations.
(4) To the extent a pharmacy is acting as a central fill pharmacy, it may not:
(a) fill prescriptions for controlled substances listed in Schedule II;
(b) fill prescriptions provided directly by a patient or an individual practitioner;
(c) mail or otherwise deliver a prescription directly to a patient or an individual practitioner; or
(d) provide or dispense cannabis products not approved by the Federal Drug Administration.
(C)(1) An originating pharmacy that outsources prescription filling to a central fill pharmacy must, prior to outsourcing the prescription:
(a) notify patients that their prescription may be filled by another pharmacy; and
(b) provide the name of that pharmacy or notify the patient if the pharmacy is part of a network of pharmacies under common ownership and that any of the network pharmacies may fill the prescription.
(2) Patient notification may be provided through a one-time written notice to the patient or through use of a sign in the pharmacy.
(D)(1) A central fill pharmacy must provide written information regarding the prescription with the filled prescription and a toll-free phone number for patient questions. The following statement must be provided with the prescription before delivery to the patient:
'Written information about this prescription has been provided for you. Please read this information before you take the medication. If you have questions concerning this prescription, a pharmacist is available during normal business hours to answer these questions'.
(2) A pharmacist at the originating pharmacy shall offer the patient or the patient's agent information about the prescription drug or device in accordance with Section 40-43-86(L).
(3) This subsection does not apply to patients in facilities including, but not limited to, hospitals or nursing homes, where drugs are administered to patients by a person authorized to do so by law.
(E) The central fill pharmacy must:
(1) place on the prescription label:
(a) the name and address or name and pharmacy license number of the pharmacy filling the prescription;
(b) the name and address of the originating pharmacy which receives the filled prescription for delivery to the patient or the patient's agent; and
(c) in some manner indicate which pharmacy filled the prescription (e.g., 'Filled by ABC Pharmacy for XYZ Pharmacy'); and
(2) comply with all other labeling requirements of federal and state law including, but not limited to, Section 40-43-86.
(F) A central fill policy and procedure manual must be maintained at both pharmacies and must be available for inspection. The originating and central fill pharmacies are required to maintain only those portions of the policy and procedure manual that relate to that pharmacy's operations. The manual must at minimum contain:
(1) An outline of the responsibilities of the central fill pharmacy and the originating pharmacy including, but not limited to:
(a) patient notification of central fill processing;
(b) confidentiality and integrity of patient information procedures;
(c) drug utilization review;
(d) record keeping and logs, including a list of the names, addresses, phone numbers, and license or registration numbers of the pharmacies, pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians at the central fill pharmacy and at the originating pharmacy;
(e) counseling responsibilities;
(f) procedures for return of prescriptions not delivered to a patient and procedures for invoicing medication transfers;
(g) policies for operating a continuous quality improvement program for pharmacy services designed to objectively and systematically monitor and evaluate the quality and appropriateness of patient care, pursue opportunities to improve patient care, and resolve identified problems;
(h) safe delivery of prescriptions to patients;
(i) processes to ensure stability and potency of medication;
(j) requirements for storage and shipment of prescription medication; and
(k) procedures for conducting an annual review of written policies and procedures and for documentation of this review.
(2) Other responsibilities regarding proper handling of a prescription and delivery to a patient or a patient's agent pursuant to this chapter and the Department of Health and Environmental Control, controlled substances laws and regulations.
(G)(1) Records may be maintained in an alternative data retention system including, but not limited to, a data processing system or direct imaging system, if:
(a) the records maintained in the alternative system contain all of the information required on the manual record; and
(b) the data processing system is capable of producing a hard copy of the record upon the request of the board, its representative, or other authorized local, state, or federal law enforcement or regulatory agency.
(2) Each pharmacy must maintain records in accordance with the provisions of Section 40-43-86 and must be able to produce records as requested by the board.
(3) The originating pharmacy records must include the date the request for filling was transmitted to the central fill pharmacy.
(4) The central fill pharmacy records must include:
(a) the date the filled prescription was mailed by the central fill pharmacy; and
(b) the name and address to which the filled prescription was shipped.
(H)(1) A central fill pharmacy must complete a central fill pharmacy permit application provided by the board, following the procedures as specified in Section 40-43-83, and also provide the following information:
(a) evidence that the applicant holds a pharmacy license, registration, or permit issued by the state in which the pharmacy is located;
(b) the name of the owner, permit holder, and pharmacist-in-charge of the pharmacy for service of process;
(c) evidence of the applicant's ability to provide to the board a record of a prescription drug order dispensed by the applicant to a resident of this State not later than seventy-two hours after the time the board requests the record;
(d) an affidavit by the pharmacist-in-charge which states that the pharmacist has read and understands the laws and regulations relating to a central fill pharmacy in this State; and
(e) pay the required fee as set by the board through regulation.
(2) A central fill pharmacy must comply with all provisions of this chapter.
(I) Nothing in this section may be construed to circumvent any requirement of Section 40-43-86 of the South Carolina Pharmacy Practice Act.
(J) A central fill pharmacy may not contact a patient for whom it has provided central fill services on behalf of an originating pharmacy for the purpose of soliciting or requesting to refill a prescription, or to fill a new prescription, for a period of five years after the originating pharmacy has stopped using the services of the central fill pharmacy."
B. This SECTION takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
Time effective
SECTION 6. Except as otherwise specifically provided, this act takes effect upon the issuance of a written joint protocol pursuant to SECTION 4 of this act.
Ratified the 18th day of May, 2022.
Approved the 23rd day of May, 2022.
This web page was last updated on June 14, 2022 at 2:06 PM