James Maroney

Senator James Maroney Releases Statement Following House Passage of Bill Allowing Pharmacists To Administer Additional Vaccines

Today, state Senator James Maroney (D-Milford), Senate Chair of the General Law Committee released a statement following House passage of Senate Bill 1102, ‘An Act Concerning Pharmacies And Pharmacists.’ Senator Maroney is thrilled with today’s passage in the House of Representatives and the bill now heads to Governor Lamont’s desk.

Senate Bill 1102, passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 147-2. Senator Maroney lead State Senate passage of the bill earlier this month.

“I am proud this important bill passed the House today allowing pharmacists to practice more fully within the scope of their training,” said Sen. Maroney. “This will help us recruit and retain more pharmacists in Connecticut. During the coronavirus pandemic, pharmacists provided valuable health care support by administering vaccines and Covid tests and making this permanent will allow residents easier access to get the vaccines they need.”

Senate Bill 1102 will enact the following:

Establish a licensing process for institutional pharmacies located in health care facilities, such as hospitals, to compound sterile pharmaceuticals and sell them at retail; allow pharmacists to order and administer tests for COVID-19, HIV, and influenza; allow pharmacists to prescribe and dispense HIV-related preventative healthcare if a patient tests negative after a pharmacist administered HIV test; expands the vaccine types that pharmacists can administer; allow pharmacists to administer an epinephrine cartridge injector to someone experiencing anaphylaxis; allow pharmacies to operate mobile pharmacies in temporary locations with the Department of Consumer Protection’s (DCP) approval; require pharmacies to maintain a plan to manage unscheduled closings and specifies actions that can and must be taken during these closures; require the DCP to adopt regulations on prescription pickup lockers at pharmacies.

Senate Bill 1102 will also allow pharmacists to vaccinate individuals over the age of 12 and mandates insurance coverage for medication administration.