Idaho Pharmacists Able to Prescribe Meds for Several Conditions on July 1

As of July 1, pharmacists in Idaho will be able to prescribe certain medications for a select number of conditions under the Pharmacist Prescriptive Authority Rule Docket 27-0104-1701 promulgated by the Idaho Board of Pharmacy. This rule adds to the prescriptive powers of pharmacists in the state. In 2016, pharmacists in Idaho also gained prescriptive authority for epinephrine auto-injectors and are also able to dispense dietary fluoride supplements, vaccines, and opioid antagonists.

The new rule allows pharmacists to prescribe medications for cold sores, seasonal influenza, strep throat, and urinary tract infections, as well as statins for patients with diabetes. 

Each condition has its own protocol and inclusion criteria:

• Cold sores: To provide treatment for low-risk patients ≥6 years of age with recurrent herpes labialis who present with prodromal symptoms that are typical of a cold sore; or a lesion that is typical of a cold sore that has lasted <48 hours.
• Seasonal influenza treatment: To provide treatment of influenza for low-risk patients ≥6 years of age exhibiting influenza-like illness for ≤48 hours or who test positive to a CLIA-waived test for influenza, in consideration of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines.
• Seasonal influenza prophylaxis: To provide prophylactic therapy to high-risk household contacts of a patient being treated for active influenza in accordance with guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Eligible patients include those ≥6 years of age who meet at least 1 of a list of designated criteria
• Group A streptococcal pharyngitis (Strep Throat): To provide treatment of group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis for low-risk, symptomatic patients in consideration of the IDSA clinical guidelines. Eligible patients must be between 6 and 45 years old and score ≥2 on the Centor Score and test positive to a CLIA-waived test indicated for GAS pharyngitis.
• Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI): To provide timely and accessible treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI) for low-risk patients in accordance with the clinical guidelines of
  the IDSA or the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Eligible women must be ≥18 years old and have at least 2 of the following symptoms: dysuria, urinary frequency, urinary urgency, or suprapubic pain.
• Statins for Patients with Diabetes: To reduce cardiovascular risk in accordance with the guidelines of the American College of Cardiology/America Heart Association. Eligible patients include those between the ages of 40 and 75 years who report a previous diagnosis of diabetes.

Each protocol also includes exclusion criteria and instances in which referral to a more appropriate venue of care is needed (for a full rundown of exclusions and referral criteria click here).

The provision requires that pharmacists use an assessment form based on current clinical guidelines or evidence-based research to determine whether or not a medication is medically appropriate. Additionally, pharmacists will plan follow-up care and notify a patients primary care physician of any prescribed therapies. 

Pharmacies are permitted to charge a service fee for consultations.

For more information visit Idaho.gov.