Section 3715.502 | [Former R.C. 4729.44, amended and renumbered by H.B. 558, 134th General Assembly, effective 4/6/2023] Protocols authorizing pharmacists, pharmacy interns to dispense overdose reversal drugs.
(A) A physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse may authorize one or more pharmacists and any of the pharmacy interns supervised by the one or more pharmacists to use a protocol developed pursuant to rules adopted under this section for the purpose of dispensing overdose reversal drugs. If use of the protocol has been authorized, a pharmacist or pharmacy intern may dispense overdose reversal drugs without a prescription to either of the following in accordance with that protocol:
(1) An individual who there is reason to believe is experiencing or at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose;
(2) A family member, friend, or other individual in a position to assist an individual who there is reason to believe is at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose.
(B) A pharmacist or pharmacy intern who dispenses overdose reversal drugs under this section shall instruct the individual to whom the drugs are dispensed to summon emergency services as soon as practicable either before or after administering the drugs.
(C) A pharmacist may document on a prescription form the dispensing of overdose reversal drugs by the pharmacist or a pharmacy intern supervised by the pharmacist. The form may be assigned a number for recordkeeping purposes.
(D) This section does not affect the authority of a pharmacist or pharmacy intern to fill or refill a prescription for overdose reversal drugs.
(E) A physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse who in good faith authorizes a pharmacist or pharmacy intern to dispense overdose reversal drugs without a prescription, as provided in this section, is not liable for or subject to any of the following for any act or omission of the individual to whom the drugs are dispensed: damages in any civil action, prosecution in any criminal proceeding, or professional disciplinary action.
A pharmacist or pharmacy intern authorized under this section to dispense overdose reversal drugs without a prescription who does so in good faith is not liable for or subject to any of the following for any act or omission of the individual to whom the drugs are dispensed: damages in any civil action, prosecution in any criminal proceeding, or professional disciplinary action.
(F) The state board of pharmacy, after consulting with the state medical board and board of nursing, shall adopt rules to implement this section. The rules shall specify a protocol under which pharmacists or pharmacy interns may dispense overdose reversal drugs without a prescription.
All rules adopted under this section shall be adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.
(G)(1) The state board of pharmacy shall develop a program to educate all of the following about the authority of a pharmacist or pharmacy intern to dispense overdose reversal drugs without a prescription:
(a) Holders of licenses issued under Chapter 4729. of the Revised Code that engage in the sale or dispensing of overdose reversal drugs pursuant to this section;
(b) Registered pharmacy technicians, certified pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy technician trainees registered under Chapter 4729. of the Revised Code who engage in the sale of overdose reversal drugs pursuant to this section;
(c) Individuals who are not licensed or registered under Chapter 4729. of the Revised Code but are employed by license holders described in division (G)(1)(a) of this section.
(2) As part of the program, the board also shall educate the license holders, pharmacy technicians, and employees described in division (G)(1) of this section about maintaining an adequate supply of overdose reversal drugs and methods for determining a pharmacy's stock of such drugs.
(3) The board may use its web site to share information under the program.
Last updated February 28, 2023 at 5:20 PM
Available Versions of this Section
- April 6, 2023 – House Bill 558 - 134th General Assembly [ View April 6, 2023 Version ]