2018 Arizona Revised Statutes
Title 32 - Professions and Occupations
§ 32-1979.03 Tobacco cessation drug therapies; prescription authority; requirements; definition

32-1979.03. Tobacco cessation drug therapies; prescription authority; requirements; definition

A. A pharmacist who is licensed pursuant to this chapter and who meets the requirements of this section may prescribe and dispense tobacco cessation drug therapies to a qualified patient pursuant to rules adopted by the board. Prescriptive authority is limited to nicotine-replacement tobacco cessation drug therapies, including prescription and nonprescription therapies.

B. A pharmacist who wishes to prescribe and dispense tobacco cessation drug therapies pursuant to this section shall successfully complete a course of training accredited by the accreditation council for pharmacy education in the subject area of tobacco cessation and successfully complete two hours of accreditation council for pharmacy education accredited tobacco cessation continuing education programs on license renewal. The course of training shall include all of the following:

1. Epidemiology and health consequences of tobacco-containing products.

2. Biological, psychological and sociocultural components of tobacco dependence.

3. Assessment of a patient's willingness to quit.

4. Development of a quit plan.

5. Relapse prevention strategies.

6. Approved medications used for nicotine addiction and the effectiveness of current drug therapies for smoking cessation.

7. Nonpharmacological and behavioral interventions.

C. A pharmacist who prescribes and dispenses prescription nicotine-replacement tobacco cessation drug therapies pursuant to this section shall:

1. Notify the qualified patient's designated primary care provider within seventy-two hours after the medication is prescribed.

2. Keep records that include the qualified patient's initial assessment information, the education provided and the medication plan, and any drug therapies prescribed. The records shall be made available to the qualified patient's designated primary care provider on request.

D. This section does not apply to pharmacists who are either:

1. Filling or refilling prescriptions for tobacco cessation products written by another provider.

2. Recommending nonprescription tobacco cessation therapies to a patient without a prescription.

E. For the purposes of this section, " qualified patient" means a patient who:

1. Is at least eighteen years of age.

2. Is enrolled in a structured tobacco cessation program consisting of an initial evaluation and appropriate follow-up visits with the pharmacist or primary care provider if prescribing a prescription nicotine replacement.

3. Has been educated on symptoms of nicotine toxicity and when to seek medical treatment.