Expanding pharmacist's scope of practice to include point-of-care testing for and treatment of COVID-19.

HB 2157 expands Kansas pharmacists' scope of practice to include point-of-care testing for and treatment of COVID-19, directly affecting pharmacists and patients seeking immediate care for this condition. The bill amends Kansas law to add "COVID-19" to the list of conditions where pharmacists may initiate therapy under statewide protocols established by the collaborative drug therapy management advisory committee. These protocols must specify required training, documentation standards, patient assessment tools, and communication with primary care providers. The change takes effect July 1, 2022, and requires pharmacists to operate within these new framework guidelines.