Section 4556 - Administration of injectable medications, biologicals and immunizations(a)General rule.--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 individuals eight years of age or older and influenza and COVID-19 immunizations by injectable or needle-free delivery methods to individuals five years of age or older. The 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 30-hour requirement for continuing education for license renewal be dedicated to administering injectable medications, biologicals and immunizations.(5) For individuals under 18 years of age, that parental consent be obtained prior to administration.(6) Maintenance of a level of professional liability insurance coverage in the minimum amount of $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 48 hours of administration.(b)No delegation.--Except as provided under subsection (e), a pharmacist's authority to administer injectable medications, biologicals and immunizations shall not be delegated to any other individual. A pharmacy intern who has completed a course of education and training which meets the requirements of subsection (a)(1) and (2) and maintains liability insurance in the amounts specified under subsection (a)(6), may administer injectable medications, biologicals and immunizations, in keeping with the requirements under subsection (a)(3), to individuals who are eight years of age or older and influenza and COVID-19 immunizations by injectable or needle-free delivery methods to individuals five years of age or 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) Report of administration.--A supervising pharmacist shall report the administration of immunizations under this section to the immunization registry maintained by the Department of Health within 72 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 or technician.(d) Information and referral.--A pharmacist, pharmacy intern or pharmacist technician who administers an influenza or COVID-19 immunization to an individual under 18 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) Delegation of authority.--A pharmacist who holds the authority to administer injectable medications, biologicals and immunizations may delegate the authority to administer: (1) Influenza and COVID-19 immunizations to a certified registered nurse practitioner, physician assistant, registered nurse or licensed practical nurse; or(2) COVID-19 immunizations that are authorized or that are licensed by the United States Food and Drug Administration to individuals 13 years of age or older or influenza vaccinations that are recommended by the advisory committee on immunization practices to individuals 13 years of age or older to a pharmacy technician if: (i) The pharmacy technician: (A) Until the board promulgates final regulations implementing registration of pharmacy technicians, holds a national certification from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board or the National Healthcareer Association; or(B) After the board promulgates final regulations implementing registration of pharmacy technicians, is registered with the board.(ii) The following conditions are met: (A) The supervising qualified pharmacist is providing direct, immediate and personal supervision to the qualified pharmacy technician who is administering the immunizations or vaccinations.(B) The qualified pharmacy technician has completed a practical training program that is approved by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education and that includes hands-on injection technique and the recognition and treatment of emergency reactions to vaccines.(C) The qualified pharmacy technician has a current certificate in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation.(D) The qualified pharmacy technician has obtained liability insurance as required under subsection (a)(6) through the qualified pharmacy technician's employer.(E) Administration of a COVID-19 immunization or influenza vaccinations shall be in keeping with the requirements under subsection (a)(3).Added by P.L. (number not assigned at time of publication) 2024 No. 77,§ 11, eff. 11/14/2024.