Bill > S2019

This bill authorizes pharmacists to dispense HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which is medication taken to prevent HIV infection, and HIV postexposure prophylaxis (PEP), which is medication taken after a potential exposure to HIV to prevent infection, without a prescription from a doctor under specific circumstances, provided the pharmacist has completed required training and follows guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The bill also mandates that various health insurance plans, including those offered by hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health service corporations, individual and group health insurance policies, health maintenance organizations, and the Medicaid program, must cover these medications when dispensed by a pharmacist without requiring prior authorization or "step therapy," which is a process where a lower-cost alternative must be tried first. Additionally, these insurance plans must reimburse pharmacists at a rate comparable to other non-physician healthcare providers for these services and grant pharmacists the same participation rights as other providers. The bill also clarifies that pharmacists are protected from civil liability if they act in good faith when dispensing these medications based on patient-provided information.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S2019