(P122) Withdrawn: THE LEGAL ENVIRONMENT FOR PHARMACIST SCOPE OF PRACTICE IN PROVIDING STI PREVENTION AND TREATMENT SERVICES

Background:
Addressing increases in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) requires innovative approaches. Pharmacists are uniquely positioned to offer critical STI services due to their consumer acceptability and accessibility. This study examines the legal environment for pharmacists' scope of practice (SoP) and payment in US STI prevention and treatment across states.

Methods:
Laws across all 505 states and the District of Columbia as of October 2023 were reviewed to assess pharmacists' ability to interpret and deliver test results, administer injectable medications, and dispense prescription medications for expedited partner therapy (EPT). Relevant law was identified using LexisNexis. All laws were categorized, and state pharmacy associations and boards of pharmacy utilized in legal interpretation.

Results:
The patchwork of state policies is the biggest barrier to large scale implementation of STI care in pharmacies. Pharmacists’ SoP for STI screening, testing,and treatment, including EPT, varies by state. At least 23 states grant a pharmacist the necessary level of collaborative or independent authority to perform these services. Pharmacists can administer injectable antibiotics in 37 states (72.5%), pursuant to a CPA in 4 (states (7.8%), and this authority is unclear in 1 state. Pharmacists are authorized to dispense antibiotics under a prescription for EPT in 49 states (96.1%).

Conclusion:
The legal landscape for pharmacist involvement in STI prevention and treatment varies widely between topics and across states, highlighting opportunities and barriers to expanding their role in public health. By understanding the legal environment within states, strategies can be developed for engaging pharmacists in STI prevention. This analysis also provides for interjurisdictional comparisons for jurisdictions wishing to increase the role of pharmacists in states where pharmacists do not have authority to provide these STI services. The benefit of expanding pharmacists' scope of practice to include STI testing, and treatment could be significant to reducing new cases of STIs.