2009 Rhode Island Code
Title 5 - Businesses and Professions
CHAPTER 5-19.2 - Collaborative Pharmacy Practice
§ 5-19.2-2 - Definitions.

SECTION 5-19.2-2

   § 5-19.2-2  Definitions. – (a) "Collaborative practice agreement" is a written and signed agreement, entered into voluntarily, between a pharmacist with advanced training and experience relevant to the scope of collaborative practice and one or more physicians that defines the collaborative pharmacy practice in which the pharmacist and physician(s) propose to engage. Collaborative practice agreements shall be made in the best interest of public health.

   (b) "Collaborative practice committee" shall consist of six (6) individuals: three (3) individuals to be appointed by the board of pharmacy from nominees provided by the Rhode Island Pharmacists Association; three (3) individuals to be appointed by the board of medical licensure and discipline from nominees provided by the Rhode Island Medical Society. The collaborative practice committee shall advise the director on all issues pertinent to the regulation of collaborative practice agreements.

   (c) "Collaborative pharmacy practice" is that practice of pharmacy whereby a pharmacist with advanced training and experience relevant to the scope of collaborative practice agrees to work in collaboration with one or more physicians for the purpose of drug therapy management of patients, such management to be pursuant to a protocol or protocols authorized by the physician(s) and subject to conditions and/or limitations as set forth by the department. A health care professional who has prescribing privileges and is employed by a collaborating physician may be in such an agreement.

   (d) "Drug therapy management" means the review, in accordance with a collaborative practice agreement, of drug therapy regimen or regimens of patients by a pharmacist for the purpose of rendering advice to one or more physicians that are party to the agreement, or their physician designees, regarding adjustment of the regimen. Decisions involving drug therapy management shall be made in the best interests of the patient. In accordance with a collaborative practice agreement, drug therapy management may include:

   (1) Modifying and managing drug therapy;

   (2) Collecting and reviewing patient histories;

   (3) Obtaining and checking vital signs, including pulse, temperature, blood pressure, and respiration; and

   (4) Under the supervision of, or in direct consultation with a physician, ordering and evaluating the results of laboratory tests directly related to drug therapy when performed in accordance with approved protocols applicable to the practice setting and providing such evaluation does not include any diagnostic component.

   (e) "Pharmacist with advanced training and experience relevant to the scope of collaborative practice" means a licensed pharmacist in this state with post-graduate educational training. Such training shall include, but not limited to, residency training, board certification, certification from an accredited professional organization educational institution, or any other continuing education provider approved by the director of health, relevant to the proposed scope of the collaborative practice agreement.

   (f) "Practice of pharmacy" means the interpretation, evaluation, and implementation of medical orders; including the performance of clinical laboratory tests provided such testing is conducted in conformity with the federal Clinical Laboratories Improvement Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 263a; the dispensing of prescription drug orders; participation in drug and device selection; drug regiment reviews and drug or drug related research; provision of patient counseling and the provision of those acts or services necessary to provide pharmaceutical care; drug therapy management pursuant to a collaborative practice agreement; and the responsibility for the supervision for compounding and labeling of drugs and devices (except labeling by a manufacturer, repackager, or distributor of nonprescription drugs and commercially packaged legend drugs and devices), proper and safe storage of drugs and devices, and maintenance of proper records for them.