Bill > S0476

This bill amends Rhode Island's pharmacy law to remove the current three-month supply limitation for initial contraceptive prescriptions, allowing pharmacists to prescribe and dispense short-term, FDA-approved hormonal contraceptives without restrictions on the quantity. The bill also modifies the rulemaking process for the state board of pharmacy, eliminating the requirement to consult with the Rhode Island medical board and state board of nursing, and now mandating consultation only with the Rhode Island department of health. The legislation maintains existing requirements for pharmacists, such as completing specialized educational training, providing patients with self-screening risk assessment tools, offering written records of prescribed contraceptives, and notifying primary care providers. Additionally, the bill ensures that health insurance plans must cover hormonal contraceptives prescribed by pharmacists just as they would if prescribed by other healthcare providers. The bill aims to improve access to contraceptive services by allowing pharmacists to prescribe and dispense contraceptives with greater flexibility and simplifying the regulatory consultation process.

Health and Social Services

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