Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed into law SF 2322 into law, effective 90 days after adjournment, containing a wide-ranging provisions impacting community pharmacy. The bill authorizes the Board of Pharmacy to develop statewide protocols for naloxone, nicotine replacement products and immunizations. Once the statewide protocol for immunizations takes effect, pharmacists will have independent authority to provide immunizations, meaning a local protocol or a prescription from a physician is no longer required. Pharmacists will be able to administer flu vaccines to patients age six months of age and older (currently eighteen years and above, except in public health emergencies). Pursuant to a protocol to be developed by the Board in consultation with the Department of Public Health, pharmacists will be able to administer the final two doses of HPV vaccination to patients eleven years of age and older. The law also permits technician product verification in the community and hospital settings, charging the Board of Pharmacy with issuing rules for implementation. NACDS acknowledges the Iowa Pharmacy Association for its leadership and advocacy efforts to enact this legislation.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.