Bill

Bill > S0477


SC S0477

SC S0477
Pharmacy access


summary

Introduced
03/20/2025
In Committee
05/08/2025
Crossed Over
05/07/2025
Passed
05/18/2026
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
05/27/2026

Introduced Session

126th General Assembly

Bill Summary

Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 40-43-210, Relating To The Definition Of A "self-administered Hormonal Contraceptive" In The Pharmacy Practice Act, So As To Revise The Definition; By Amending Section 40-43-230, Relating To Pharmacists Permitted To Dispense Self-administered Hormonal Contraceptives In Certain Circumstances, So As To Provide Such Dispensations May Be Made Pursuant To Certain Written Joint Protocols; And By Amending Section 40-43-240, Relating To Written Joint Protocols By The Board Of Medical Examiners And The Board Of Pharmacy To Authorize Pharmacists To Dispense Self-administered Hormonal Contraceptives Without Patient-specific Written Orders, So As To Instead Provide The Dispensations May Be Made Under Standing Orders Or Without Standing Orders When Dispensed Or Administered Pursuant To Certain Written Joint Protocols. - Ratified Title

AI Summary

This bill revises the definition of a "self-administered hormonal contraceptive" to include oral contraceptives, vaginal rings, and patches approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for preventing pregnancy, while excluding intrauterine devices and drugs that terminate pregnancies. It also modifies existing provisions within the South Carolina Pharmacy Practice Act to allow pharmacists to dispense or administer these contraceptives under certain conditions, specifically enabling them to do so based on written joint protocols between the Board of Medical Examiners and the Board of Pharmacy, which can include standing orders or even dispense without a standing order when following these protocols, thereby expanding access to these medications for patients eighteen years or older, or younger if they have a prior prescription.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services, Justice

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Act No. 167 (on 05/27/2026)

Bill Topics

Health
  • ‐ Maternal Health
  • ‐ Regulation of Drug Industry and Pharmacies
  • ‐ Regulation of Health-Related Occupations and Services

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...
Loading...