Pharmacists: immunization protocols.

Existing law, the Pharmacy Law, provides for the licensing and regulation of pharmacists by the California State Board of Pharmacy. A violation of the Pharmacy Law is a crime. Existing law, among other things, authorizes a pharmacist to administer immunizations pursuant to a protocol with a prescriber. This bill, until January 1, 2015, would additionally authorize a pharmacistassociated with an independent community pharmacy, as defined, to initiate and administer influenza immunizations to any person 18 years of age or older pursuant to standardized protocols developed and approved by the Medical Board of California in consultation with public health officers. The bill would, with respect to the development and approval of those standardized protocols, authorize the Medical Board of California to consult with the board. The bill would require a pharmacist, prior to initiating and administering those immunizations, to complete a specified pharmacy-based immunization delivery training program. The bill would also require a pharmacist initiating and administering those immunizations to complete 3 hours of immunization-related continuing education coursework annually and to be certified in basic life support. The bill would require a pharmacist, at the time of administration of that immunization, to provide the patient with a Vaccine Information Statement and to provide the patient and the patient's physician with documentation of administration of the immunization. The bill would also require a pharmacist administering that immunization to maintain a specified immunization record, provide documentation of administration to the appropriate immunization registry, report any adverse event and ensure proper storage and handling of vaccines. The bill would authorize a pharmacist initiating and administering vaccines under these provisions to initiate and administer epinephrine for severe allergic reactions. This bill would require the board and the Medical Board of California to complete an evaluation of influenza immunizations initiated and administered under the standardized protocols authorized by the bill, and would require the board to report to the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature by January 1, 2014. Because this bill would create new requirements under the Pharmacy Law, the violation of which would be a crime, it would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.