Minnesota law adds COVID-19 to pharmacists’ vaccine authority

Minnesota is making sure its pharmacists will be ready when the Food and Drug Administration approves a COVID-19 vaccine. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signs MN SF 13, which expands the vaccine authority of the state's pharmacists' vaccine authority to allow the administration of a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available. 

The law also allows pharmacists to prescribe self-administered hormonal contraceptives, nicotine replacement medications, and opiate antagonists. Additionally, during a peacetime emergency declared by Walz, pharmacists may dispense a therapeutically equivalent interchangeable prescribed drug or biological products pending certain requirements.The law's passage and approval drew praise from the National Community Pharmacists Association. 

"Pharmacists are the country’s most accessible health care providers, whether during a pandemic or in calmer times," said Karry La Violette, NCPA’s senior vice president of government affairs. "Thanks to Minnesota’s policymakers, pharmacists can now make an even bigger contribution to patient care and the fight against the coronavirus.”

MN SF 13 was authored by Minnesota Sens. Michelle Benson, R.; Rich Draheim, R.; Justin Eichor, R.; Matt Klein, D.; and Karin Housley, R. along with Rep. Hunter Cantrell, D.