THE BILL ITSELF
HB 407
Administration of Medications
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A bill to be entitled
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An act relating to administration of medications;
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providing a short title; amending ss. 397.427 and
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465.1893, F.S.; authorizing a pharmacist to administer
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certain medications under certain circumstances;
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providing an effective date.
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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
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Section 1. This act may be cited as the "Connecting to
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Care Act."
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Section 2. Subsections (6) and (7) of section 397.427,
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Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
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397.427 Medication-assisted treatment service providers;
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rehabilitation program; needs assessment and provision of
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services; persons authorized to issue takeout medication;
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unlawful operation; penalty.—
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(6) A physician assistant, a registered nurse, an advanced
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practice registered nurse, or a licensed practical nurse, or a
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pharmacist working for a licensed service provider may deliver
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medication as prescribed by rule if:
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(a) The service provider is authorized to provide
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medication-assisted treatment;
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(b) The medication has been administered pursuant to a
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valid prescription written by the program's physician who is
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licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459; and
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(c) The medication ordered appears on a formulary or meets
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federal requirements for medication-assisted treatment.
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(7) Each licensed service provider that provides
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medication-assisted treatment must adopt written protocols as
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specified by the department and in accordance with federally
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required rules, regulations, or procedures. The protocol shall
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provide for the supervision of the physician assistant,
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registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, or
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licensed practical nurse working under the supervision of, or a
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pharmacist acting pursuant to s. 465.1893 under an established
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protocol with, a physician who is licensed under chapter 458 or
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chapter 459. The protocol must specify how the medication will
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be used in conjunction with counseling or psychosocial treatment
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and that the services provided will be included on the treatment
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plan. The protocol must specify the procedures by which
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medication-assisted treatment may be administered by the
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physician assistant, registered nurse, advanced practice
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registered nurse, or licensed practical nurse, or pharmacist.
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These protocols shall be signed by the supervising physician and
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the administering physician assistant, registered nurse,
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advanced practice registered nurse, or licensed practical nurse,
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or pharmacist.
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Section 3. Section 465.1893, Florida Statutes, is amended
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to read:
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465.1893 Administration of antipsychotic medication and
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medication for the treatment of opiate addiction by injection.—
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(1)(a) A pharmacist, at the direction of a physician
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licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459, may administer a
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long-acting antipsychotic medication or medication for the
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treatment of opiate addiction approved by the United States Food
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and Drug Administration by injection to a patient if the
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pharmacist:
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1. Is authorized by and acting within the framework of an
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established protocol with the prescribing physician.
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2. Practices at a facility that accommodates privacy for
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nondeltoid injections and conforms with state rules and
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regulations regarding the appropriate and safe disposal of
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medication and medical waste.
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3. Has completed the course required under subsection (2).
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(b) A separate prescription from a physician is required
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for each injection administered by a pharmacist under this
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subsection.
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(2)(a) A pharmacist seeking to administer a long-acting
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antipsychotic medication or medication for the treatment of
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opiate addiction by injection must complete an 8-hour continuing
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education course offered by:
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1. A statewide professional association of physicians in
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this state accredited to provide educational activities
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designated for the American Medical Association Physician's
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Recognition Award (AMA PRA) Category 1 Credit or the American
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Osteopathic Association (AOA) Category 1-A continuing medical
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education (CME) credit; and
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2. A statewide association of pharmacists.
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(b) The course may be offered in a distance learning
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format and must be included in the 30 hours of continuing
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professional pharmaceutical education required under s.
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465.009(1). The course shall have a curriculum of instruction
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that concerns the safe and effective administration of
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behavioral health and antipsychotic medications or medications
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for the treatment of opiate addiction by injection, as
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applicable, including, but not limited to, potential allergic
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reactions to such medications.
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Section 4. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.