Bill > S1635

This bill amends existing Massachusetts law to expand the role of pharmacists in collaborative drug therapy management, specifically focusing on treatment for opioid and other substance use disorders. The bill allows pharmacists working in retail drug businesses to provide more comprehensive patient care under specific conditions: they must work under a collaborative practice agreement with supervising physicians, be limited to treating patients 18 years or older, and can extend current drug therapy by 30 days, administer vaccines, or initiate, modify, or discontinue medications for specific chronic conditions including substance use disorders. Pharmacists can now prescribe schedule II-VI controlled substances for patients referred by supervising physicians, but only for treating substance use disorders as defined in medical diagnostic criteria. Each prescription must be for a patient-specific diagnosis, and a copy must be sent to the supervising physician within 24 hours. The bill aims to increase access to treatment for substance use disorders by leveraging pharmacists' medical expertise and expanding their scope of practice, while maintaining physician oversight and patient consent.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1635