TELEPHARMACY RULES AND STATUTES: A 50-STATE SURVEY

Abstract

Purpose and Introduction. The purpose of this policy brief is to identify rules and laws enacted by states authorizing the use of community telepharmacy initiatives within their respective jurisdictions. Though telepharmacy exists in several forms, telepharmacy in this brief is defined as the delivery of pharmaceutical care to outpatients at a distance through the use of telecommunication and other advanced technologies. Pharmaceutical care includes, but is not limited to, drug review and monitoring, dispensing of medications, medication therapy management, and patient counseling. A significant advantage of telepharmacy is the ability to provide pharmacist access to patients in remote areas where a pharmacist is not physically available. Therefore, the implications of telepharmacy on increasing access to care are significant, particularly to patients in underserved rural communities, though it is important to note that underserved populations do not exist exclusively in rural settings. Key Findings. (1) The use of telepharmacy is authorized, in varying capacities, in 23 states (46 percent). (2) Pilot program development that could apply to telepharmacy initiatives is authorized by six states (12 percent). (3) Waivers to administrative or legislative pharmacy practice requirements that could allow for telepharmacy initiatives are permitted in five states (10 percent). (4) Nearly one-third of the states (16, or 32 percent) do not authorize the use of telepharmacy, nor do they currently have the ability to pursue telepharmacy initiatives via pilot programs or waivers.