Virginia 2023 Regular Session Status: Enacted

SB 948 — Pharmacist scope of practice; initiation of treatment for certain diseases and conditions.

Last action — Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0172)

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House of Delegates
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 06, 2023. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin (Republican) on March 22, 2023.

Prognosis

Advancing 38% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Failed a recorded vote

    Failed 6 recorded votes so far — a real headwind.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

87 added · 85 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendment to Bill SB 948 allows pharmacists in Virginia to initiate treatment, dispense, or administer certain medications without needing to follow a statewide protocol that was previously required. This includes medications like naloxone, epinephrine, and hormonal contraceptives. Removing this protocol requirement simplifies the process, making it easier for pharmacists to provide critical care and respond to health needs more quickly, which can have a significant positive impact on public health.

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SESSION ENROLLED VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY –– CHAPTER E An Act to amend and reenact § 54.1-3303.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to pharmacist scope of practice;
VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY -- 2023 SESSION CHAPTER 172 An Act to amend and reenact § 54.1-3303.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to pharmacist scope of practice;
R O [S 948] Approved L L Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
[S 948] Approved March 22, 2023 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
E § 54.1-3303.1.
§ 54.1-3303.1.
Initiating of treatment with and dispensing and administering of controlled D subA.
Initiating of treatment with and dispensing and administering of controlled substances by pharmacists.
Notwithstanding the provisions of § 54.1-3303, a pharmacist may initiate treatment with, dispense, or administer the following drugs, devices, controlled paraphernalia, and other supplies and equipment to persons 18 years of age or older with whom the pharmacist has a bona fide pharmacist-patient relationship and in accordance with a statewide protocol developed by the Board in collaboration with the Board of Medicine and the Department of Health and set forth in regulations of the Board:
A.
1.
Notwithstanding the provisions of § 54.1-3303, a pharmacist may initiate treatment with, dispense, or administer the following drugs, devices, controlled paraphernalia, and other supplies and equipment to persons 18 years of age or older with whom the pharmacist has a bona fide pharmacist-patient the Board of Medicine and the Department of Health and set forth in regulations of the Board:ion with 1.
B 2.
2.
4 assessment consistent with the United States Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive UseE 4.
3.
Injectable or self-administered hormonal contraceptives, provided the patient completes an assessment consistent with the United States Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use;
4.
R 5.
5.
Drugs as defined in § 54.1-3401, devices as defined in § 54.1-3401, controlled paraphernalia as defined in § 54.1-3466, and other supplies and equipment available over-the-counter, covered by the patient's health carrier when the patient's out-of-pocket cost is lower than the out-of-pocket cost to supplies or equipment;ounter equivalent of the same drug, device, controlled paraphernalia, or other 7.
Drugs as defined in § 54.1-3401, devices as defined in § 54.1-3401, controlled paraphernalia as defined in § 54.1-3466, and other supplies and equipment available over-the-counter, covered by the patient's health carrier when the patient's out-of-pocket cost is lower than the out-of-pocket cost to purchase an over-the-counter equivalent of the same drug, device, controlled paraphernalia, or other supplies or equipment;
7.
Nicotine replacement and other tobacco cessation therapies, including controlled substances as counseling;
Nicotine replacement and other tobacco cessation therapies, including controlled substances as defined in the Drug Control Act (§ 54.1-3400 et seq.), together with providing appropriate patient counseling;
andDrug Control Act (§ 54.1-3400 et seq.), together with providing appropriate patient 11.
and 11.
Group A Streptococcus bacteria infection, influenza virus infection, COVID-19 virus infection, and urinary tract infection;
group A Streptococcus bacteria infection, influenza virus infection, COVID-19 virus infection, and urinary tract infection;
Notwithstanding the provisions of § 54.1-3303, a pharmacist may initiate treatment with, dispense, or administer the following drugs and devices to persons three years of age or older in accordance with a s1.
Notwithstanding the provisions of § 54.1-3303, a pharmacist may initiate treatment with, dispense, or administer the following drugs and devices to persons three years of age or older in accordance with a statewide protocol as set forth in regulations of the Board:
1.
No pharmacist shall limit the ability of notification to be sent to the patient's primary care provider by requiring use of electronic mail that is § 1320d et seq.).
No pharmacist shall limit the ability of notification to be sent to the patient's primary care provider by requiring use of electronic mail that is secure or compliant with the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (42 U.S.C.
If the patient does not have a primary health care provider, the pharmacist shall counsel the patient regarding the benefits of establishing a relationship with a primary health care of 2 provider and provide information regarding primary health care providers, including federally qualified health centers, free clinics, or local health departments serving the area in which the patient is located.
§ 1320d et seq.).
If the pharmacist is initiating treatment with, dispensing, or administering injectable or self-administered hormonal contraceptives, the pharmacist shall counsel the patient regarding seeking preventative care, including (i) routine well-woman visits, (ii) testing for sexually transmitted infections, and (iii) pap smears.
If the patient does not have a primary health care provider, the pharmacist shall counsel the patient regarding the benefits of establishing a relationship with a primary health care provider and provide information regarding primary health care providers, including federally qualified health centers, free clinics, or local health departments serving the area in which the patient is located.
If of 2 the pharmacist is initiating treatment with, dispensing, or administering injectable or self-administered hormonal contraceptives, the pharmacist shall counsel the patient regarding seeking preventative care, including (i) routine well-woman visits, (ii) testing for sexually transmitted infections, and (iii) pap smears.
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Action History

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0172)

  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 172 (effective 7/1/23)

  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 27, 2023

  4. Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on March 2, 2023

  5. Signed by President

  6. Signed by Speaker

  7. Impact statement from DPB (SB948ER)

  8. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB948ER)

  9. Enrolled

  10. House amendments agreed to by Senate (39-Y 1-N)

  11. VOTE: Passage (65-Y 34-N)

  12. Passed House with amendments (65-Y 34-N)

  13. Engrossed by House as amended

  14. Committee amendments agreed to

  15. Read third time

  16. Read second time

  17. Reported from Health, Welfare and Institutions with amendment(s) (12-Y 9-N)

  18. House committee, floor amendments and substitutes offered

  19. Referred to Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions

  20. Read first time

  21. Placed on Calendar

  22. Read third time and passed Senate (39-Y 0-N)

  23. Impact statement from DPB (SB948E)

  24. Printed as engrossed 23102717D-E

  25. Engrossed by Senate as amended SB948E

  26. Committee amendments agreed to

  27. Reading of amendments waived

  28. Read second time

  29. Constitutional reading dispensed (38-Y 0-N)

  30. Senate committee, floor amendments and substitutes offered

  31. Reported from Education and Health with amendments (14-Y 0-N)

  32. Senate committee, floor amendments and substitutes offered

  33. Senate subcommittee amendments and substitutes offered

  34. Impact statement from DPB (SB948)

  35. Assigned Education sub: Health Professions

  36. Referred to Committee on Education and Health

  37. Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/23 23102717D

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 147 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (147)

147 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Subjects

healthcare health-insurance
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 948?
SB 948 is sponsored by David R. Suetterlein.
What is the current status of SB 948?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 06, 2023. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 948?
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