Title 201 | Chapter 002 | Regulation 413E


WITHDRAWN
This document is no longer current.
STATEMENT OF EMERGENCY
201 KAR 2:413E

This emergency administrative regulation establishes requirements that the Board of Pharmacy shall implement to comply with 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d, 85 Fed. Reg. 15198, 52136 and 86 Fed. Reg. 9516, 10588 and 14462. 85 Fed. Reg. 15198, 52136 and 86 Fed. Reg. 9516, 10588, 14462 and 41977 have been promulgated in response to the public health emergency invoked by 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d to address COVID-19. This emergency administrative regulation is necessary, pursuant to KRS 13A.190(1)(a)3 and 4, to ensure continued compliance with federal law and to ensure that Kentucky continues to have an ample pool of pharmacists available to order and administer the COVID-19 vaccine. Without this emergency regulation, many Kentucky-licensed pharmacists will become ineligible to order and to administer the COVID-19 vaccine because they do not meet federal training requirements. So long as the state has a training requirement, compliance with the state training requirement is sufficient to comply with federal law. Without this emergency administrative regulation, there is no state training requirement. This emergency administrative regulation will ensure that state law remains congruent with emergency federal regulations and responds to the current COVID-19 federal public health emergency. An ordinary administrative regulation is not a sufficient avenue to address the current emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic being temporary. This emergency administrative regulation with regard to pharmacist authority will not be replaced by an ordinary administrative regulation due to the scope of the administrative regulation only existing and being needed for the duration of the federal public health emergency.

ANDY BESHEAR, Governor
CHRISTOPHER HARLOW, PharmD., Executive Director

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Board of Pharmacy
(New Emergency Administrative Regulation)

201 KAR 2:413E.Ordering and administering vaccinations.

Section 1.

Definitions.

(1)

"Administer" is defined by KRS 315.010(1).

(2)

"Pharmacist" is defined by KRS 315.010(17).

(3)

"Pharmacist intern" is defined by KRS 315.010(18).

(4)

"Pharmacy technician" is defined by KRS 315.010(21).

(5)

"Prescribe" means to issue an original or new order from a pharmacist for an FDA-approved or authorized vaccination or medication, including but not limited to, epinephrine, diphenhydramine and corticosteroids to treat emergency reactions to vaccines.

Section 2.

Pharmacist Requirements.

(1)

A pharmacist may administer a vaccine to an individual pursuant to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) standard immunization schedule in accordance with KRS 315.010(22).

(2)

A pharmacist may administer a vaccine to a child, age three (3) through eight (8), pursuant to a prescriber-approved protocol.

(3)

A pharmacist may prescribe and administer a vaccine to an individual eighteen (18) and under, pursuant to the ACIP standard immunization schedule, a seasonal flu vaccine to any individual aged nineteen and over, a COVID-19 vaccine to any individual, and medications necessary for the emergency treatment of vaccine reactions, if the pharmacist:

(a)

Completes or has completed practical training on administering vaccinations. This may include:

1.

Completion of a practical training program from an education provider accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) that includes hands-on injection technique and the recognition and treatment of emergency reactions to vaccines;

2.

Graduation from an ACPE accredited pharmacy school in which hands-on immunization training was part of the curriculum; or

3.

Training via hands-on experience immunizing in current or previous pharmacy practice; and

(b)

Possesses a current certificate in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

(4)

No provision in this regulation affects the ability of a pharmacist to administer a vaccination pursuant to a prescription drug order.

Section 3.

Pharmacist Intern Requirements. A pharmacist intern under the general supervision of a pharmacist may administer a vaccine to an individual if the pharmacist intern:

(1)

Completes, or has completed as part of pharmacy school curriculum, a practical training program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) that includes hands-on injection technique and the recognition and treatment of emergency reactions to vaccines; and

(2)

Possesses a current certificate in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Section 4.

Pharmacy Technician Requirements. A pharmacy technician may administer a vaccine under the general supervision of a pharmacist to an individual, if the pharmacy technician:

(1)

Completes a minimum of two (2) hours of immunization-related continuing education accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) per each state registration period;

(2)

Completes, or has completed, a practical training program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) that includes hands-on injection technique and the recognition and treatment of emergency reactions to vaccines; and

(3)

Possesses a current certificate in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Section 5.

Effective Date.

(1)

This administrative regulation shall become effective at 5 p.m. on the date it is filed.

(2)

In accordance with KRS 13A.190, this administrative regulation shall remain in effect until:

(a)

Expiration of the time period established by KRS 13A.190; or

(b)

Withdrawn in accordance with KRS 13A.190(12).

(3)

The Board of Pharmacy shall regularly consult with the Governor's Office, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other public health authorities to determine if this administrative regulation shall be withdrawn prior to its expiration under KRS 13A.190.

CHRISTOPHER P. HARLOW, PharmD., R.Ph., Executive Director
APPROVED BY AGENCY: June 27, 2022
FILED WITH LRC: June 27, 2022 at 3:35 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING AND COMMENT PERIOD: A public hearing on this administrative regulation shall be held on August 31, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time at the Kentucky Department of Transportation Auditorium, 200 Mero Street, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601. Individuals interested in being heard at this hearing shall notify this agency in writing by five workdays prior to the hearing, of their intent to attend. If no notification of intent to attend the hearing is received by that date, the hearing may be canceled. This hearing is open to the public. Any person who wishes to be heard will be given an opportunity to comment on the proposed administrative regulation. A transcript of the public hearing will not be made unless a written request for a transcript is made. If you do not wish to be heard at the public hearing, you may submit written comments on the proposed administrative regulation. Written comments shall be accepted through August 31, 2022. Send written notification of intent to be heard at the public hearing or written comments on the proposed administrative regulation to the contact person.
CONTACT PERSON: Christopher Harlow, Executive Director, Kentucky Board of Pharmacy, 125 Holmes Street, Suite 300, State Office Building Annex, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, phone (502) 564-7910, fax (502) 696-3806, email christopher.harlow@ky.gov.

REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS AND TIERING STATEMENT
Contact Person:
Christopher Harlow
(1) Provide a brief summary of:
(a) What this administrative regulation does:
This administrative regulation authorizes pharmacists to order and to administer vaccinations to individual three (3) and older, pursuant to specific requirements. This administrative regulation also authorizes pharmacy technicians and pharmacist interns to administer vaccinations to individuals three (3) and older, pursuant to specific requirements.
(b) The necessity of this administrative regulation:
The administrative regulation is necessary to comply with federal regulation and to ensure the health and safety of the citizens of the Commonwealth during the current national public health emergency. This administrative regulation is necessary to limit the training requirements for pharmacists so that the federal default training requirement is not imputed to Kentucky pharmacists. If that were to occur, the majority of Kentucky pharmacists would not be authorized to administer the COVID-19 vaccine.
(c) How this administrative regulation conforms to the content of the authorizing statutes:
KRS 315.191 authorizes the Board of Pharmacy to promulgate regulations to regulate and control all matters relating to pharmacists, pharmacies, pharmacist interns and pharmacy technicians. This emergency regulation relates to pharmacist, pharmacist intern and pharmacy technician authority to order and administer vaccinations.
(d) How this administrative regulation currently assists or will assist in the effective administration of the statutes:
This administrative regulation will allow for vaccinations that are recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) standard immunization schedule, including COVID-19 vaccinations and seasonal flu vaccinations to be ordered and administered by a greater number of individuals.
(2) If this is an amendment to an existing administrative regulation, provide a brief summary of:
(a) How the amendment will change this existing administrative regulation:
This is a new emergency administrative regulation.
(b) The necessity of the amendment to this administrative regulation:
This is a new emergency administrative regulation.
(c) How the amendment conforms to the content of the authorizing statutes:
This is a new emergency administrative regulation.
(d) How the amendment will assist in the effective administration of the statutes:
This is a new emergency administrative regulation.
(3) List the type and number of individuals, businesses, organizations, or state and local governments affected by this administrative regulation:
This regulation impacts any pharmacist, pharmacist intern or pharmacy technician that desires to order or administer vaccinations to individuals three (3) and up.
(4) Provide an analysis of how the entities identified in question (3) will be impacted by either the implementation of this administrative regulation, if new, or by the change, if it is an amendment, including:
(a) List the actions that each of the regulated entities identified in question (3) will have to take to comply with this administrative regulation or amendment:
There is no requirement for pharmacists, pharmacist interns or pharmacy technicians to order or to administer vaccinations; however, this administrative regulation provides pharmacists with an authorization to order and to administer vaccinations pursuant to this administrative regulation’s requirements and for pharmacy technicians and pharmacist interns with an authorization to administer vaccinations pursuant to this administrative regulation’s requirements. Should the pharmacist, pharmacist intern or pharmacy technician choose to order or to administer vaccinations, the pharmacist, pharmacist intern or pharmacy technician shall meet the conditions set forth in this regulation, including completing a training, being CPR certified and other conditions specifically enumerated.
(b) In complying with this administrative regulation or amendment, how much will it cost each of the entities identified in question (3):
This administrative regulation does not require pharmacists, pharmacist interns or pharmacy technicians to order or to administer vaccinations and therefore this administrative regulation does not create any cost to the potentially impacted individuals. However, should the pharmacist choose to order or to administer vaccinations or the pharmacist intern or pharmacy technician choose to administer vaccinations, those individuals will have the cost of training, potential yearly continuing education requirements and the cost of becoming CPR certified.
(c) As a result of compliance, what benefits will accrue to the entities identified in question (3):
. The ability to vaccinate more individuals age three (3) and up. Not only will this improve vaccination rates, ensuring a healthier Commonwealth, but the qualified individuals ordering and administering the vaccination will potentially garner greater business as well as increased revenue streams for the companies or organizations in which they are employed. (5) Provide an estimate of how much it will cost to implement this administrative regulation:
(5) Provide an estimate of how much it will cost the administrative body to implement this administrative regulation:
(a) Initially:
No cost to the administrative body.
(b) On a continuing basis:
No cost to the administrative body.
(6) What is the source of the funding to be used for the implementation and enforcement of this administrative regulation:
The Board of Pharmacy will inspect pharmacies, pharmacist practice and pharmacist intern and pharmacy technician practices to ensure compliance with this administrative regulation. The Board of Pharmacy already employs inspectors, and this regulation will not increase any cost of enforcement for the Board of Pharmacy.
(7) Provide an assessment of whether an increase in fees or funding will be necessary to implement this administrative regulation, if new, or by the change if it is an amendment:
There will be no increase in fees or funding necessary to implement this regulation.
(8) State whether or not this administrative regulation establishes any fees or directly or indirectly increases any fees:
This administrative regulation does not establish any fees directly or indirectly.
(9) TIERING: Is tiering applied?
Tiering is not applied, as this administrative regulation does not mandate that any pharmacist, pharmacist intern or pharmacy technician order or administer vaccines, it simply provides an opportunity for those qualified individuals to do so if they choose.

FISCAL NOTE
(1) What units, parts, or divisions of state or local government (including cities, counties, fire departments, or school districts) will be impacted by this administrative regulation?
There will be no impact on local or state government outside of the Board of Pharmacy’s enforcement of the regulation.
(2) Identify each state or federal statute or federal regulation that requires or authorizes the action taken by the administrative regulation.
42 U.S.C. 247d-6d, 85 Fed. Reg. 15198, 85 Fed. Reg. 52136, 86 Fed. Reg. 9516, 10588, 14462 and 41977.
(3) Estimate the effect of this administrative regulation on the expenditures and revenues of a state or local government agency (including cities, counties, fire departments, or school districts) for the first full year the administrative regulation is to be in effect.
There will be no effect on the expenditures and revenue of a state or local government agency.
(a) How much revenue will this administrative regulation generate for the state or local government (including cities, counties, fire departments, or school districts) for the first year?
This administrative regulation will not generate any revenue for the state or local government.
(b) How much revenue will this administrative regulation generate for the state or local government (including cities, counties, fire departments, or school districts) for subsequent years?
This regulation will not generate revenue.
(c) How much will it cost to administer this program for the first year?
There will be no cost to administer this regulation.
(d) How much will it cost to administer this program for subsequent years?
This regulation will not generate costs. Note: If specific dollar estimates cannot be determined, provide a brief narrative to explain this fiscal impact of the administrative regulation.
Note: If specific dollar estimates cannot be determined, provide a brief narrative to explain the fiscal impact of the administrative regulation.
Revenues (+/-):
0
Expenditures (+/-):
0
Other Explanation:
(4) Estimate the effect of this administrative regulation on the expenditures and cost savings of regulated entities for the first full year the administrative regulation is to be in effect.
? There will be no impact on the expenditures or cost savings of regulated entities. The Board does not require any action in this regulation, it only permits action.
(a) How much cost savings will this administrative regulation generate for the regulated entities for the first year?
There will be no impact on the expenditures or cost savings of regulated entities. The Board does not require any action in this regulation, it only permits action.
(b) How much cost savings will this administrative regulation generate for the regulated entities for subsequent years?
There will be no impact on the expenditures or cost savings of regulated entities. The Board does not require any action in this regulation, it only permits action.
(c) How much will it cost the regulated entities for the first year?
There will be no impact on the expenditures or cost savings of regulated entities. The Board does not require any action in this regulation, it only permits action.
(d) How much will it cost the regulated entities for subsequent years?
There will be no impact on the expenditures or cost savings of regulated entities. The Board does not require any action in this regulation, it only permits action.
Note: If specific dollar estimates cannot be determined, provide a brief narrative to explain the fiscal impact of the administrative regulation.
Cost Savings (+/-):
0
Expenditures (+/-):
0
Other Explanation:
(5) Explain whether this administrative regulation will have a major economic impact, as defined below.
"Major economic impact" means an overall negative or adverse economic impact from an administrative regulation of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) or more on state or local government or regulated entities, in aggregate, as determined by the promulgating administrative bodies. [KRS 13A.010(13)] This administrative regulation will not have a major economic impact.

FEDERAL MANDATE ANALYSIS COMPARISON
(1) Federal statute or regulation constituting the federal mandate.
42 U.S.C. 247d-6d, 85 Fed. Reg. 15198, 85 Fed. Reg. 52136, 86 Fed. Reg. 9516, 10588, 14462 and 41977. This is an emergency federal mandate only in effect during the federal declaration under the PREP Act.
(2) State compliance standards.
Without this administrative regulation, the Commonwealth is not in compliance with the federal mandate. The federal regulation requires a stringent training program if the state does not have training requirements for the ordering and administration of vaccinations by pharmacists. This regulation sets forth the training requirements that are less stringent than the federal standards, ensuring that Kentucky licensed pharmacists remain eligible vaccinators.
(3) Minimum or uniform standards contained in the federal mandate.
That pharmacists shall be authorized to order and to administer vaccinations to individuals ages three (3) and up and that pharmacist interns and technicians be authorized to administer vaccinations to individuals ages three (3) and up.
(4) Will this administrative regulation impose stricter requirements, or additional or different responsibilities or requirements, than those required by the federal mandate?
This administrative regulation will not impose stricter requirements than the federal mandate. Rather, this administrative regulation will be more permissive than the federal mandate in that it allows for pharmacists to order and to administer vaccinations to all individuals three and older. It allows for pharmacists to order vaccines or to use prescription drug orders or prescriber-approved protocols. The conditions for pharmacists to be authorized to order and administer vaccinations are fewer in this administrative regulation than the federal mandate. Moreover, pharmacist interns have been authorized to administer vaccinations to individuals three and older. The conditions for pharmacist interns and technicians to administer vaccinations are fewer in this administrative regulation than the federal mandate.
(5) Justification for the imposition of the stricter standard, or additional or different responsibilities or requirements.
If this regulation were to mirror the federal regulations, it would have the effect of severely limiting the number of pharmacists that could order and administer vaccinations due to the majority of Kentucky pharmacists not having completed a twenty-hour training program on immunizing. Therefore, it was critical that federal floor standards be adopted, but with fewer conditions than the federal regulation.

7-Year Expiration: 6/28/2029

Last Updated: 6/20/2023


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