A North Carolina General Assembly proposal (Senate Bill 575) would expand access to affordable care by letting trained, qualified pharmacists prescribe, dispense and administer certain medications.
The Coalition SUPPORTS to this legislation.
Specifically, Senate Bill 575 would allow pharmacists to administer treatments such as:
- An opioid antagonist in the event of an overdose
- EpiPen’s for allergic reactions
- Glucagon for diabetics with low blood sugar
- Short-acting inhalers for asthma
- Prenatal vitamins
Pharmacists must document any administered care and notify the patient’s doctor within 72 hours.
By allowing qualified pharmacists to administer medications such as these, along with FDA-approved vaccines for things like the flu, we would expand access to important care and reduce costs.
Actions related to this bill will be factored into a member’s Affordable Healthcare Grade at the close of the legislative session.
