Learn About The Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
(a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, a registered pharmacist may prescribe and dispense hormonal contraceptive patches and self-administered oral hormonal contraceptives to any person, regardless of whether the person has evidence of a previous prescription from a primary care practitioner or reproductive health care practitioner for a hormonal contraceptive patch or self-administered oral hormonal contraceptive.
(b) The department, in consultation with the board of registration in medicine, the board of registration in pharmacy and the division of medical assistance, and in consideration of guidelines established by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, shall adopt rules to establish: (i) standard procedures for the prescribing of hormonal contraceptive patches and self-administered oral hormonal contraceptives by pharmacists; and (ii) the time frame in which a patient shall have evidence, as defined by the department, of a clinical visit from a primary care practitioner or reproductive health care practitioner immediately following a previous prescription and dispensation of a hormonal contraceptive patch or self-administered oral hormonal contraceptive by a pharmacist.
(c) The rules adopted under subsection (b) shall: (i) require a pharmacist to: (A) complete a training program approved by the board of registration in pharmacy that is related to prescribing hormonal contraceptive patches and self-administered oral hormonal contraceptives; (B) provide a self-screening risk assessment tool that the patient shall use prior to the pharmacist prescribing the hormonal contraceptive patch or self-administered oral hormonal contraceptive; (C) refer the patient to the patient's primary care practitioner or reproductive health care practitioner, if applicable, upon prescribing and dispensing the hormonal contraceptive patch or self-administered oral hormonal contraceptive or advise the patient to consult with a primary care practitioner or reproductive health care practitioner; (D) provide the patient with a written record of the hormonal contraceptive patch or self-administered oral hormonal contraceptive prescribed and dispensed; and (E) dispense the hormonal contraceptive patch or self-administered oral hormonal contraceptive to the patient as soon as practicable after the pharmacist issues the prescription; and (ii) prohibit a pharmacist from: (A) requiring a patient to schedule an appointment with the pharmacist for the prescribing or dispensing of a hormonal contraceptive patch or self-administered oral hormonal contraceptive; and (B) prescribing and dispensing a hormonal contraceptive patch or self-administered oral hormonal contraceptive to a patient who previously received a prescription and dispensation of a hormonal contraceptive patch or self-administered oral hormonal contraceptive by a pharmacist and who does not have evidence of a clinical visit within the time frame established under clause (ii) of subsection (b).
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Massachusetts General Laws Part I. Administration of the Government (Ch. 1-182) Ch. 94C, § 19F - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ma/part-i-administration-of-the-government-ch-1-182/ma-gen-laws-ch-94c-sect-19f/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)