HB1007:

This bill will add HIV pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis to the list of drugs that a pharmacist is allowed to prescribe and dispense. The bill will require pharmacists who do so to complete a training program and conduct a consultation with the patient. The patient must have tested HIV negative, have no signs or symptoms of acute HIV infection or contraindicated medication, and meet the clinical criteria for the treatment. The pharmacist must counsel the patient and attempt to share records with a primary care provider when possible. This adds HIV medications to a list that includes Naloxone, nicotine replacement therapy, and birth control that pharmacists may prescribe and dispense. There are more than 6,058 Arkansans living with HIV, with 242 new diagnoses in 2020.