Ohio § 4729.41

§ 4729.41.

(A)(1) A pharmacist licensed under this chapter who meets the requirements of division (B)

of this section, a pharmacy intern licensed under this chapter who meets the requirements

of division (B) of this section and is working under the direct supervision of a pharmacist

who meets the requirements of that division, and a certified pharmacy technician or

a registered pharmacy technician who meets the requirements of division (B) of this

section and is working under the direct supervision of a pharmacist who meets the

requirements of that division, may administer to an individual who is five years of

age or older an immunization for any disease, including an immunization for influenza

or COVID-19. (2) As part of engaging in the administration of immunizations or supervising a pharmacy

intern's, certified pharmacy technician's, or registered pharmacy technician's administration

of immunizations, a pharmacist may administer epinephrine or diphenhydramine, or both,

to individuals in emergency situations resulting from adverse reactions to the immunizations

administered by the pharmacist, pharmacy intern, certified pharmacy technician, or

registered pharmacy technician. (B) For a pharmacist, pharmacy intern, certified pharmacy technician, or registered pharmacy

technician to be authorized to engage in the administration of immunizations, the

pharmacist, pharmacy intern, certified pharmacy technician, or registered pharmacy

technician shall do all of the following: (1) Successfully complete a course in the administration of immunizations that meets

the requirements established in rules adopted under this section for such courses; (2) Receive and maintain certification to perform basic life-support procedures by successfully

completing a basic life-support training course that is certified by the American

red cross or American heart association or approved by the state board of pharmacy; (3) Practice in accordance with a protocol that meets the requirements of division (C)

of this section. (C) All of the following apply with respect to the protocol required by division (B)(3)

of this section: (1) The protocol shall be established by a physician authorized under Chapter 4731. of

the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery

or a certified nurse-midwife, clinical nurse specialist, or certified nurse practitioner

licensed under Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code. (2) The protocol shall specify a definitive set of treatment guidelines and the locations

at which a pharmacist, pharmacy intern, certified pharmacy technician, or registered

pharmacy technician may engage in the administration of immunizations. (3) The protocol shall satisfy the requirements established in rules adopted under this

section for protocols. (4) The protocol shall include provisions for implementation of the following requirements: (a) The pharmacist, pharmacy intern, certified pharmacy technician, or registered pharmacy

technician who administers an immunization shall observe the individual who receives

the immunization to determine whether the individual has an adverse reaction to the

immunization.  The length of time and location of the observation shall comply with the rules adopted

under this section establishing requirements for protocols.  The protocol shall specify procedures to be followed by a pharmacist when administering

epinephrine or diphenhydramine, or both, to an individual who has an adverse reaction

to an immunization administered by the pharmacist or by a pharmacy intern, certified

pharmacy technician, or registered pharmacy technician. (b) For each immunization administered to an individual by a pharmacist, pharmacy intern,

certified pharmacy technician, or registered pharmacy technician, other than an immunization

for influenza administered to an individual eighteen years of age or older, the pharmacist,

pharmacy intern, certified pharmacy technician, or registered pharmacy technician

shall notify the individual's primary care provider or, if the individual has no primary

care provider, the board of health of the health district in which the individual

resides or the authority having the duties of a board of health for that district

under section 3709.05 of the Revised Code .  The notice shall be given not later than thirty days after the immunization is administered. (c) For each immunization administered by a pharmacist, pharmacy intern, certified pharmacy

technician, or registered pharmacy technician to an individual younger than eighteen

years of age, the pharmacist, a pharmacy intern, certified pharmacy technician, or

registered pharmacy technician shall obtain permission from the individual's parent

or legal guardian in accordance with the procedures specified in rules adopted under

this section. (d) For each immunization administered by a pharmacist, pharmacy intern, certified pharmacy

technician, or registered pharmacy technician to an individual who is younger than

eighteen years of age, the pharmacist, pharmacy intern, certified pharmacy technician,

or registered pharmacy technician shall inform the individual's parent or legal guardian

of the importance of well child visits with a pediatrician or other primary care provider

and shall refer patients when appropriate. (D)(1) No pharmacist shall do either of the following: (a) Engage in the administration of immunizations unless the requirements of division

(B) of this section have been met; (b) Delegate to any person the pharmacist's authority to engage in or supervise the administration

of immunizations. (2) No pharmacy intern shall engage in the administration of immunizations unless the

requirements of division (B) of this section have been met. (3) No certified pharmacy technician or registered pharmacy technician shall engage in

the administration of immunizations unless the requirements of division (B) of this

section have been met. (E)(1) The state board of pharmacy shall adopt rules to implement this section.  The rules shall be adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code and

shall include the following: (a) Requirements for courses in administration of immunizations, including requirements

that are consistent with any standards established for such courses by the centers

for disease control and prevention; (b) Requirements for protocols to be followed by pharmacists, pharmacy interns, certified

pharmacy technicians, and registered pharmacy technicians in engaging in the administration

of immunizations; (c) Procedures to be followed by pharmacists, pharmacy interns, certified pharmacy technicians,

and registered pharmacy technicians in obtaining from the individual's parent or legal

guardian permission to administer immunizations to an individual younger than eighteen

years of age. (2) Prior to adopting rules regarding requirements for protocols to be followed by pharmacists,

pharmacy interns, certified pharmacy technicians, and registered pharmacy technicians

in engaging in the administration of immunizations, the state board of pharmacy shall

consult with the state medical board and the board of nursing.