RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- COLLABORATIVE PHARMACY, PRACTICE
Summary
H7424 amends Rhode Island’s collaborative pharmacy practice law. It broadens the definition of collaborative pharmacy practice agreements so pharmacists may work not only with physicians, but also with other licensed healthcare providers who have prescribing authority and are employed with or by a collaborating physician/provider. The bill also updates related definitions governing drug therapy management, limited-function tests, and the qualifications of pharmacists participating in these agreements.
The bill clarifies that collaborative practice agreements are voluntary written agreements, must be in the best interest of public health, follow clinical guidelines and standards of care, and may begin once required documentation is complete without a separate approval or denial process. It also requires annual review and signature by the parties, and it removes the statutory definition of the collaborative practice committee while still preserving the chapter’s general regulatory framework. The act takes effect July 1, 2026.
Impact
The bill would amend Chapter 5-19.2 of the Rhode Island General Laws, expanding who may participate in collaborative pharmacy practice agreements and refining the scope of pharmacist drug therapy management. It would affect pharmacists, physicians, and other healthcare providers with prescribing privileges, as well as the Department of Health and the Board of Pharmacy’s oversight role. The bill also preserves immunity protections for board members, the director, committee members, and others acting in good faith under the chapter.
Sentiment
The available voting history shows strong support for the bill, with House passage on April 16, 2026 by a 65-0 vote. No committee transcript is available, but the unanimous vote suggests broad agreement that the measure is a technical and practice-expanding update to existing pharmacy law rather than a controversial policy change.
Contention
The main policy issue is the expansion of collaborative authority beyond physicians to other healthcare providers with prescribing privileges, which may raise questions about scope of practice, oversight, and accountability. Another point of change is the removal of the statutory definition of the collaborative practice committee, which could prompt concern about how advisory input is structured even though the bill retains regulatory authority for the department. No recorded opposition appears in the available materials.
Expands the existing law regarding collaborative practice agreements between pharmacists and physicians to allow other healthcare providers to enter into such agreements and removes the definition of “collaborative practice committee.”
Adds new sections that set forth conditions for pharmacists to prescribe tobacco cessation drug therapies, including education approved by state board of pharmacy. The cessation therapies to be covered by all health insurance carriers on or after 1/1/26.
Adds new sections that set forth conditions for pharmacists to prescribe tobacco cessation drug therapies, including education approved by state board of pharmacy. The cessation therapies to be covered by all health insurance carriers on or after 1/1/26.
Amends the definition of the practice of pharmacy to include the administration of all forms of influenza immunizations including COVID-19 to individuals over the age of 3 years pursuant to a valid prescription or prescriber approved protocol.
Expands the existing law regarding collaborative practice agreements between pharmacists and physicians to allow other healthcare providers to enter into such agreements and removes the definition of “collaborative practice committee.”