Bill > SB526

This bill updates the scope of practice for licensed pharmacists in West Virginia, expanding their ability to prescribe certain drugs under specific conditions. Pharmacists will now be authorized to prescribe drugs that align with FDA-approved labeling, but only for limited conditions where they have taken a patient's medication history. Specifically, they can prescribe drugs after conducting waived clinical tests for conditions like influenza, SARS-COV-2, and RSV, or refill an expired epinephrine injection device prescription. The bill requires pharmacists to notify the patient's primary care physician within 72 hours of conducting a test and prescribing medication. Prescriptions are restricted to a 30-day supply within a six-month period, and if the prescription exceeds 10 days, the pharmacist must inform the primary care physician. If no primary care physician is identified, the pharmacist must attempt to refer the patient to one. The legislation does not allow pharmacists to prescribe controlled substances and maintains existing provisions about pharmacists' other professional responsibilities, such as drug administration, patient counseling, and medication therapy management.

Government Affairs, Health and Social Services

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=526&year=2025&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill