Section 40-43-260 - Information to be provided to patients; patient counseling(A) A pharmacist who dispenses a self-administered hormonal contraceptive or administers an injectable hormonal contraceptive pursuant to this chapter shall: (1) obtain a completed self-screening risk assessment questionnaire that has been approved by the department, in collaboration with the Board of Pharmacy and the Board of Medical Examiners, from the patient before dispensing the self-administered hormonal contraceptive or administering the injectable hormonal contraceptive. If the results of the assessment indicate that it is unsafe to dispense a self-administered hormonal contraceptive or administer an injectable hormonal contraceptive to a patient, then the pharmacist may not dispense a self-administered hormonal contraceptive or administer an injectable hormonal contraceptive to the patient, shall refer the patient to a practitioner, and may not continue to dispense a self-administered hormonal contraceptive or administer an injectable hormonal contraceptive to the patient for more than twenty-four months after the date of the initial prescription without evidence that the patient has consulted with a practitioner during the preceding twenty-four months; and(2) provide the patient with written information regarding:(a) the importance of seeing the patient's practitioner annually to obtain recommended tests and screening;(b) the effectiveness and availability of long-acting reversible contraceptives as an alternative to self-administered hormonal contraceptives or injectable hormonal contraceptives;(c) a copy of the record of the encounter with the patient that includes the patient's completed assessment questionnaire pursuant to item (1);(d) a description of the contraceptive dispensed or administered, or the basis for not dispensing or administering a contraceptive;(e) the South Carolina Medicaid program and how to apply for Medicaid benefits; and(f) the effectiveness of abstinence in preventing pregnancy and contracting a sexually transmitted infection or disease. The materials shall include the following: Abstinence is the choice not to have sex. This method is one hundred percent effective in preventing pregnancy and infection as long as all sexual contact is avoided, including vaginal, oral, and anal sex.(B) If a pharmacist dispenses a self-administered hormonal contraceptive or administers an injectable hormonal contraceptive to a patient, then the pharmacist shall, at a minimum, provide patient counseling to the patient regarding: (1) the appropriate administration and storage of a self-administered hormonal contraceptive, if appropriate;(2) any potential side effects and risks of a self-administered hormonal contraceptive or injectable hormonal contraceptive;(3) the need for backup contraception;(4) when to seek emergency medical attention; and(5) the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection or disease, along with ways to reduce the risk of contraction.Added by 2022 S.C. Acts, Act No. 210 (SB 628),s 2, eff. 5/23/2022. 2022 Act No. 210, Sections 1, 4, and 6, provide as follows:
"SECTION 1. This act shall be referred to as the 'Pharmacy Access Act'."
"SECTION 4. The Board of Medical Examiners and the Board of Pharmacy must issue a written joint protocol pursuant to Section 40-43-240 not later than six months after the passage of this act."
"SECTION 6. Except as otherwise specifically provided, this act takes effect upon the issuance of a written joint protocol pursuant to SECTION 4 of this act."
The written joint protocol was issued on November 16, 2022.