Pharmacist Test and Treat Certification

Section 465.1895, Florida Statutes, provides that a pharmacist who tests or screens for and treats minor, nonchronic health conditions must meet the following requirements:

1. Hold an active and unencumbered license to practice pharmacy in this state.
2. Have completed an initial 20-hour course approved by the board, in consultation with the Board of Medicine and Board of Osteopathic Medicine.
3. Maintain at least $250,000 of professional liability insurance coverage. However, a pharmacist who maintains professional liability insurance coverage pursuant to s. 465.1865 satisfies this requirement.
4. Have established a system to maintain records of all patients receiving services within the framework of a written protocol for a period of 5 years from each patient’s most recent provision of service.

Written Protocol Information

Section 465.1895(5), Florida Statutes, requires a written protocol must include terms and conditions imposed by the supervising physician relating to testing and screening for and treatment of minor, chronic health conditions that are appropriate to the pharmacist’s training.

The written protocol must include, at a minimum, the following information:

1. Specific categories of patients who the pharmacist is authorized to test or screen for and treat minor, nonchronic health conditions.
2. The physician’s instructions for obtaining relevant patient medical history for the purpose of identifying disqualifying health conditions, adverse reactions, and contraindications to the approved course of treatment.
3. The physician’s instructions for the treatment of minor, nonchronic health conditions based on the patient’s age, symptoms, and test results, including negative results.
4. A process and schedule for the physician to review the pharmacist’s actions under the protocol.
5. A process and schedule for the pharmacist to notify the physician of the patient’s condition, tests administered, test results, and course of treatment.

A pharmacist acting under a written protocol may not:

1. Enter into a written protocol while acting as an employee without the written approval of the owner of the pharmacy.

The rules relating to the Test and Treat certification can be found here.

Within 5 business days of entering into a written protocol with a supervising physician, a pharmacist must submit a copy of the protocol to the board.

A pharmacist who enters into a written protocol and provides services under a test and treat certification must report a diagnosis or suspected existence of a disease of public health significance to the Department of Health pursuant to Section 381.0031, Florida Statutes. To review the reporting requirements please visit http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/index.html

A pharmacist providing services under this section must provide a patient with written information to advise the patient to seek follow up care from his or her primary care physician. 

The Pharmacy in which a pharmacist’s tests and screens for and treats minor, nonchronic conditions must prominently display signage indicating that any patient receiving testing, screening, or treatment services is advised to seek follow up care from his or her primary care physician.