Maryland legislators are considering two new bills, Senate Bill 372 and Senate Bill 678, in coordination with the Maryland Pharmacists Association in their efforts to expand vaccination authority for pharmacists and reimburse pharmacists within their scope of practice. SB 372 will keep authority in place as permissions granted under the PREP Act declaration for the COVID-19 pandemic expire in 2024. SB 678 requires public and private plans to provide coverage for services rendered within a pharmacist’s scope of practice and that reimbursement not be conditioned on whether the pharmacist is employed by a physician, pharmacy or facility, or is acting under a physician’s order.

Maryland pharmacists are celebrating the potential for two new promising bills. These bills, HB 229 and SB 62, passed the House and the Senate and now await Governor Larry Hogan’s signature. HB 229 authorizes pharmacists to administer injectable medications that treat sexually transmitted infections, and SB 62 allows pharmacists to prescribe and dispense nicotine replacement therapy medication. Both bills are an important part in expanding pharmacists’ scope of practice in the state, and pharmacists are hopeful that they’ll go into effect.

Pharmacists in Maryland may get a promotion to provider status soon. HB 1219, a new bill being considered in the state Senate, would recognize pharmacists as healthcare providers and authorize reimbursement parity for their services. HB 1219 would also mandate insurance coverage for services within a pharmacist’s scope of practice. In effect, this bill would ensure pharmacists get paid fairly and patients get the best possible care. HB 1219 currently awaits hearings in the Senate.

The state of Maryland is currently considering a new bill that would alter the definition of “maintenance injectable medications” and allow pharmacists to administer such medications. Under HB 229, Maryland pharmacists would be able to dispense a wider variety of injectables, including those that treat sexually transmitted diseases. In effect, HB 229 would expand pharmacists’ authority and open up access to thousands of Marylanders who would otherwise forego treatment. The bill currently sits in the House of Representatives and awaits consideration.

SB 736 has been passed in Maryland, authorizing pharmacists from July 1, 2021 until June 30, 2022 to administer vaccinations to anyone between 3 - 17 years of age. It also regulates the creation of policies on the administration of vaccines to children by pharmacists in the state.

HB 601 has been signed into law by Governor Hogan, resulting in praise from Maryland independent pharmacies. This new law is a win for pharmacies and their patients, and continues to push Maryland's efforts in healthcare reform. This law regulates pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and prevents them from taking advantage of loopholes by tightening up definitions surrounding PBM business practices.