South Carolina § 40-43-240 - Written joint protocol to authorize pharmacists to dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives.

§ 40-43-240. Written joint protocol to authorize pharmacists to dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives.

(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 healthcare professionals licensed in this State to advise and assist in the development of the joint protocol for their consideration.

HISTORY: 2022 Act No. 210 (S.628), SECTION 2, eff November 16, 2022.

Editor's Note

2022 Act No. 210, SECTIONS 1, 4, and 6, provide as follows:

"SECTION 1. This act shall be referred to as the 'Pharmacy Access Act'."

"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."

"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."

The written joint protocol was issued on November 16, 2022.