§ 90-85.15B.  Immunizing pharmacists.

(a) Except as provided in subsections (a1), (b1), and (c) of this section, an immunizing pharmacist may only administer vaccinations or immunizations to persons at least 18 years of age pursuant to a specific prescription order.

(a1) An immunizing pharmacist may administer to persons at least 18 years of age the vaccines or immunizations recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices if the vaccinations or immunizations are administered under written protocols as defined in 21 NCAC 46 .2507(b)(12) and 21 NCAC 32U .0101(b)(12) and in accordance with the supervising physician's responsibilities as defined in 21 NCAC 46 .2507(e) and 21 NCAC 32 .0101(e), and the physician is licensed in and has a practice physically located in North Carolina. When supervised by an immunizing pharmacist, pharmacy interns and pharmacy technicians meeting the requirements of subsection (f) of this section may administer the vaccinations or immunizations recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to persons at least 18 years of age in accordance with this subsection.

(b) Repealed by Session Laws 2023-15, s. 3(a), effective May 19, 2023.

(b1) When a person chooses, or a parent or legal guardian provides written consent for a person under 18 years of age in accordance with subsection (g) of this section, an immunizing pharmacist may administer (i) an influenza vaccine, (ii) a COVID-19 vaccine recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (iii) a COVID-19 vaccine authorized under an emergency use authorization by the United States Food and Drug Administration and recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or (iv) a combination of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to persons at least 7 years of age pursuant to 21 NCAC 46 .2507 and 21 NCAC 32U .0101. When supervised by an immunizing pharmacist, pharmacy interns and pharmacy technicians meeting the requirements of subsection (f) of this section, may administer (i) an influenza vaccine, (ii) a COVID-19 vaccine recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, (iii) a COVID-19 vaccine authorized under an emergency use authorization by the United States Food and Drug Administration, or (iv) a combination of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to persons at least 7 years of age in accordance with this subsection.

(c) An immunizing pharmacist may administer any other vaccinations approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in accordance with the protocols established by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to persons at least six years of age pursuant to a specific prescription order initiated by a prescriber following a physical examination of the patient by the prescriber.

(c1) An immunizing pharmacist may administer a long-acting injectable medication, including testosterone injections and vitamin B12, to persons at least 18 years of age pursuant to a specific prescription order initiated by a prescriber following an examination of the patient which conforms to the standards of acceptable and prevailing medical practice by the prescriber. An immunizing pharmacist who administers a long-acting injectable medication pursuant to this section shall do all of the following:

(1) Maintain a record of any administration of a long-acting injectable performed by the immunizing pharmacist to the patient in a patient profile or record.

(2) Within 72 hours after the administration of the long-acting injectable performed by the immunizing pharmacist to the patient, notify the prescriber regarding which medication and dosage was administered to the patient. If the long-acting injectable is in the class of psychotropic medications, the immunizing pharmacist shall notify the prescriber within 48 hours of administering the medication.

(3) Within 72 hours of receipt of a specific prescription, notify the prescriber of the long-acting injectable medication if the medication was not administered to the patient. If the prescription is in the class of psychotropic medications, the immunizing pharmacist shall notify the prescriber if the medication was not administered within 48 hours of receipt of the prescription.

(c2) An immunizing pharmacist may dispense, deliver, or administer the following medications:

(1) Nicotine replacement therapy that is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration.

(2) Self-administered oral or transdermal contraceptives after the patient completes an assessment consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's United States Medical Eligibility Criteria (US MEC) for Contraceptive Use; however, an immunizing pharmacist shall not dispense, deliver, or administer ulipristal acetate for emergency contraception without a prescription from a prescriber licensed under this Chapter.

(3) Prenatal vitamins.

(4) Post-exposure prophylaxis medications for the prevention of human immunodeficiency virus pursuant to guidelines and recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

(5) Glucagon for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia.

(c3) An immunizing pharmacist may administer to a patient any prescribed, self-administered injectable medication.

(d) An immunizing pharmacist who administers a vaccine or immunization to any patient pursuant to this section shall do all of the following:

(1) Maintain a record of any vaccine or immunization administered to the patient in a patient profile.

(2) Within 72 hours after administration of the vaccine or immunization, notify any primary care provider identified by the patient. If the patient does not identify a primary care provider, the immunizing pharmacist shall direct the patient to information describing the benefits to a patient of having a primary care physician, prepared by any of the following: North Carolina Medical Board, North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians, North Carolina Medical Society, or Community Care of North Carolina.

(3) Except for influenza vaccines administered under G.S. 90-85.15B(c), access the North Carolina Immunization Registry prior to administering the vaccine or immunization and record any vaccine or immunization administered to the patient in the registry within 72 hours after the administration. In the event the registry is not operable, an immunizing pharmacist shall report as soon as reasonably possible.

(d1) An immunizing pharmacist who dispenses, delivers, or administers a medication listed in subsection (c2) of this section to a patient shall do all of the following:

(1) Maintain a record of medication administered to the patient in a patient profile.

(2) Within 72 hours after administration of the medication, notify any primary care provider identified by the patient. If the patient does not identify a primary care provider, the immunizing pharmacist shall direct the patient to information describing the benefits to a patient of having a primary care provider, including information about federally qualified health centers, free clinics, and local health departments, prepared by any of the following: North Carolina Medical Board, North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians, North Carolina Medical Society, or Community Care of North Carolina.

(3) Furnish patient records to the patient upon the patient's request.

(4) Furnish patient records to the primary care provider identified by the patient upon the primary care provider's request.

(5) If the immunizing pharmacist has administered or dispensed a hormonal contraceptive to the patient, the immunizing pharmacist shall counsel the patient about preventative care, including well-woman visits, sexually transmitted infection testing information, and Pap smear testing.

(e) An immunizing pharmacist that dispenses, delivers, or administers the medications listed in subsection (c2) of this section shall do all of the following:

(1) Comply with rules adopted by the North Carolina Medical Board and the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy governing the approval of the individual immunizing pharmacist to dispense, deliver, or administer the medications with limitations that the Boards determine to be in the best interest of patient health and safety.

(2) Have current approval from both Boards.

(3) Provide the name, business address, business phone, and business fax number of the pharmacy on any communication with a prescriber.

(4) Provide the name of the immunizing pharmacist who dispenses, delivers, or administers the medication on any communication with the provider.

(f) Prior to administering a vaccine or immunization pursuant to subsection (a1) or (b1) of this section, a pharmacy technician or pharmacy intern shall meet the following requirements:

(1) Complete a practical training program that is approved by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). This training program must include hands-on injection technique and the recognition and treatment of emergency reactions to vaccines.

(2) The pharmacy technician or pharmacy intern shall have a current certificate in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

(3) The pharmacy technician shall annually complete a minimum of two hours of ACPE approved, immunization-related continuing pharmacy education.

(g) Prior to the administration of a vaccine or immunization administered to a person under 18 years of age pursuant to this section, an immunizing pharmacist shall obtain written parental consent from the parent or legal guardian of the patient. An immunizing pharmacist, a pharmacy technician, or pharmacy intern shall, if the person is under 18 years of age, inform the patient or legal guardian accompanying the person of the importance of a well-child visit with a pediatrician, family physician, or other licensed primary-care provider. (2013-246, s. 4; 2014-115, s. 40; 2019-21, s. 1; 2021-3, s. 2.9(a); 2021-110, ss. 1-3, 8; 2023-15, s. 3(a); 2023-65, s. 9.3(a).)