Bill Text: NJ A3251 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Permits pharmacists to administer influenza vaccines to children seven years of age or older.****
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-4)
Status: (Passed) 2014-01-17 - Approved P.L.2013, c.254. [A3251 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-A3251-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman RUBEN J. RAMOS, JR.
District 33 (Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Permits pharmacists to administer vaccines to children 14 years of age or older.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning administration of vaccines by pharmacists and amending P.L.2003, c.280.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 24 of P.L.2003, c.280 (C.45:14-63) is amended to read as follows:
24. a. No pharmacist shall administer a prescription medication directly to a patient without appropriate education or certification, as determined by the board in accordance with the requirements set forth in the rules jointly promulgated by the board and the State Board of Medical Examiners. Such medication shall only be for the treatment of a disease for which a nationally certified program is in effect, or as determined by the board, and only if utilized for the treatment of that disease for which the medication is prescribed or indicated or for which the collaborative drug therapy management permits.
b. Notwithstanding any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, [other than for pediatric immunizations,] a pharmacist may administer drugs to a patient 14 years of age or older pursuant to a prescription by a New Jersey licensed physician for a vaccine and related emergency medications, in immunization programs implemented pursuant to a New Jersey licensed physician's standing order for the vaccine and related emergency medications, or in immunization programs and programs sponsored by governmental agencies that are not patient specific, provided the pharmacist is appropriately educated and qualified, as determined by the board in accordance with the requirements set forth in the rules jointly promulgated by the board and the State Board of Medical Examiners.
(cf: P.L.2003, c.280, s.24)
2. This act shall take effect on the first day of the fourth month next following the date of enactment, except that the New Jersey State Board of Pharmacy and the State Board of Medical Examiners may take such anticipatory administrative action in advance thereof as may be necessary for the implementation of this act.
STATEMENT
This bill permits pharmacists to administer pediatric vaccines to children who are 14 years of age and older. Current law permits pharmacists to administer vaccines only to patients who are 18 years of age and older.
The bill also amends statutory language to conform to regulations permitting a pharmacist to administer vaccines and related emergency medications pursuant to a physician's prescription, in immunization programs implemented pursuant to a physician's standing order, or in government-sponsored immunization programs that are not patient specific. This bill does not alter the education, documentation, and other requirements promulgated by the New Jersey State Board of Pharmacy and the State Board of Medical Examiners, which must be met for a pharmacist to administer vaccines directly to patients. Existing statutory language permits the two boards to jointly issue rules that would impose additional requirements for a pharmacist to be permitted to administer a vaccine to a minor.
