SECTION 1. Section 19A of chapter 94C of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2016 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out subsection (b) and inserting in place thereof the following 2 subsections:-
(b) The department shall ensure that a statewide standing order is issued to authorize the dispensing of emergency contraception in the commonwealth by any licensed pharmacist. The statewide standing order shall include, but not be limited to, written, standardized procedures or protocols for the dispensing of emergency contraception by a licensed pharmacist. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the commissioner, or a physician who is designated by the commissioner and is registered to distribute or dispense a controlled substance in the course of professional practice under section 7, may issue a statewide standing order that may be used for a licensed pharmacist to dispense emergency contraception under this section. Except for an act of gross negligence or willful misconduct, the commissioner or a physician who issues said statewide standing order shall not be subject to any criminal or civil liability or any professional disciplinary action related to said order.
(b1/2) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, a licensed pharmacist may dispense emergency contraception in accordance with the statewide standing order issued under subsection (b). Except for an act of gross negligence or willful misconduct, a pharmacist who, acting in good faith, dispenses emergency contraception in accordance with said order shall not be subject to any criminal or civil liability or any professional disciplinary action by the board of registration in pharmacy related to the use or administration of emergency contraception.
SECTION 2. Subsection (d) of said section 19A of said chapter 94C, as so appearing in the 2016 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the first sentence and inserting in place thereof the following sentence:-
A pharmacist who dispenses emergency contraception shall annually report to the department the number of emergency contraception doses dispensed.
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The General Court provides this information as a public service and while we endeavor to keep the data accurate and current to the best of our ability, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.