Bill > A5248

This bill regulates the provision of pharmaceutical services in nursing homes. It defines "nursing home" as a long-term care facility licensed to provide professional nursing care daily, excluding certain other healthcare facilities. The bill requires each nursing home to have a consultant pharmacist and either a provider pharmacist or a director of pharmaceutical services. It also requires nursing homes to have an interdisciplinary pharmacy and therapeutics committee to oversee pharmaceutical services, and it mandates the appointment of a consultant pharmacist who is independent from the facility's director of pharmaceutical services or pharmacist provider. Additionally, the bill authorizes the Commissioner of Health to adopt rules and regulations to implement its provisions, and it takes effect immediately.