An Act Regarding the Practice of Pharmacy
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 0603
Committee: Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services
Sponsors: SANBORN, BRENNER, DIAMOND, STEWART, MORRIS, PERRY
Amends: 32 MRSA §13702-A, 32 MRSA §13722

Legislative Document
No. 603
S.P. 242
In Senate, March 1, 2021
An Act Regarding the Practice of Pharmacy
Received by the Secretary of the Senate on February 25, 2021.  Referred to the Committee 
on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered 
printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator SANBORN of Cumberland.
Cosponsored by Senators: BRENNER of Cumberland, DIAMOND of Cumberland, 
STEWART of Aroostook, Representatives: MORRIS of Turner, PERRY of Calais.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  32 MRSA §13702-A, sub-§22, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 402, Pt. DD, §2, 
is amended to read:
22.  Pharmacist.  "Pharmacist" means an individual provider of health care services 
licensed by this State to engage in the practice of pharmacy.
A.  "Chain pharmacist" means an individual who is engaged in the practice of pharmacy 
within a chain; that is, where there is a corporate grouping of 4 or more pharmacies.
B.  "Hospital pharmacist" means an individual who is engaged in the practice of 
pharmacy in a hospital setting.
C.  "Independent pharmacist" means an individual who is engaged in the practice of 
pharmacy in an independent pharmacy; that is, where there are fewer than 4 pharmacies 
under the same ownership.
D.  "Qualified assistant pharmacist" means an individual licensed by this State as a 
qualified assistant apothecary, qualified assistant or assistant pharmacist, provided that 
the license is in full force and effect, except for the right to serve as a pharmacist in 
charge.
Sec. 2.  32 MRSA §13702-A, sub-§28, as amended by PL 2017, c. 185, §1, is 
further amended to read:
28.  Practice of pharmacy.  "Practice of pharmacy" means the provision of health care 
services that include the interpretation and evaluation of prescription drug orders; the 
compounding, dispensing and labeling of drugs and devices, except labeling by a 
manufacturer, packer or distributor of nonprescription drugs and commercially packaged 
legend drugs and devices; the participation in drug selection and drug utilization reviews; 
the proper and safe storage of drugs and devices and the maintenance of proper records for 
these drugs and devices; the administration of vaccines licensed by the United States Food 
and Drug Administration that are recommended by the United States Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or successor 
organization, for administration to adults; the performance of collaborative drug therapy 
management; the responsibility for advising, when necessary or regulated, of therapeutic 
values, content, hazards and use of drugs and devices; the ordering and dispensing of over-
the-counter nicotine replacement products approved by the United States Food and Drug 
Administration; and the offering or performing of those acts, services, operations or 
transactions necessary in the conduct, operation, management and control of a pharmacy.
Sec. 3.  32 MRSA §13722, sub-§1, ¶B, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 710, §5, is 
amended to read:
B.  Establish the specifications of minimum professional and technical equipment, 
environment, supplies and procedure for the compounding or, dispensing or 
administering of medications, drugs, devices and other materials within the practice of 
pharmacy;
SUMMARY
This bill amends the definition of the terms "pharmacist" and "practice of pharmacy" 
in the Maine Pharmacy Act.  It also requires the Department of Professional and Financial 
Regulation, Maine Board of Pharmacy to establish the specifications for administering 
medications, drugs, devices and other materials within the practice of pharmacy.