Florida’s governor signs bill to expand HIV care

Last week, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed into law House Bill 159 which permits licensed pharmacists to screen adults for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) exposure, provide results, and create a process for pharmacists to be certified to order and dispense postexposure prophylaxis under a collaborative practice agreement with a physician. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Gallop Franklin (D), is a pharmacist and first-term legislator and has attended our NCPA Pharmacy-Legislator Forum for the last two years. NCPA congratulates Franklin and the Florida pharmacy community for this great accomplishment in expanding access to care and being on the frontlines of the HIV epidemic.