S.B. 261 Pharmacy Practice Amendments

What this bill does

The bill would clarify the rules for collaborative practice agreements between pharmacists and physicians and add vaccines and epinephrine to the medications pharmacists may prescribe and administer. It would also allow pseudoephedrine to be bought online using an electronic verification system, with a provision letting the board skip that program if a system is unavailable or too costly.

Plain-English summary written by AI from the sponsor’s presentation in committee and on the floor. Check the official text below.

Your legislators on this bill

Enter your address to see what your own representative and senator did on this bill.

Quotes come from the official recordings' automatic captions, which can mishear words. Speakers and summaries are identified by AI and can be wrong. Use the ▶ links to check the recording.

Take action

This bill's session is over, but your legislators still want to hear from you. Ideas that died often come back next year.

Enter your address to get your legislators' contact information and a ready-to-send message about this bill.

Every vote

• 5 yes, 0 no, 3 absentSenate Business and Labor Committee: vote to change the bill · Feb 12, 2026Who voted how
• 6 yes, 0 no, 2 absentSenate Business and Labor Committee: vote to approve it · Feb 12, 2026Who voted how
• 24 yes, 0 no, 5 absentFirst of two Senate votes · Feb 24, 2026Who voted how
• 22 yes, 0 no, 7 absentFinal Senate vote · Feb 25, 2026Who voted how
• 10 yes, 0 no, 4 absentHouse Health and Human Services Committee: vote to approve it · Mar 3, 2026Who voted how
• 63 yes, 1 no, 11 absentFinal House vote · Mar 6, 2026Who voted how

Hearings and debates

• Feb 12, 2026 Senate Business and Labor Committee▶ Watch
  Transcript (14 turns)

  1. Unknown speaker41:03speaker not certain

     Senator SB 2 61 pharmacy practices, uh, amendment. Um, I'm just pulling up. It has a, does it have a sub or no? No, It does. Yeah, it Does. Okay.

  2. Committee chair (presiding)41:12

     I'll speak to that. Okay. Time is yours.

  3. Sen. Evan J. Vickers41:16

     Uh, thank you Mr. Chair. Uh, each year the state pharmacy board, uh, meets and has amendments that they'd like to propose to their code, uh, this year. They're fairly minor, but there are these, this is the product of that. It does a few things. It clarifies the definition of a collaborative pharmacy practice agreement. Quite often pharmacies will have a collaborative practice agreement with physicians to perform certain services. There's some clarification on that. There are has a small list of things that, uh, pharmacists are allowed to, to prescribe and administer, and they're proposing to add vaccines and epinephrine to that. And then the, uh, the final piece is adding a provision to allow for online sales of pseudo rine. Uh, for those of you who might, might know to purchase pseudo rine, you have to go into a pharmacy. It's kept behind the counter. You have to do a signature log and show your, uh, identity. And there over the course of the, you know, the reason for for that was, uh, to prevent diversion, uh, for producing meth. Um, we found that very little of the pseudo federal sales in pharmacies are being diverted. And so a number of quite a few states have allowed for online sales. It still has to, you have to have an electronic verification system that can be done. Uh, it's, you know, it's proven safe and effective, and has proven that there is really isn't any diversion. So we're proposing that here in the state of Utah. There also, there's some kind of, some provisions the sub points out that if, uh, a system is not available and, and it is and is more over, is going to cost the state, and they, the board does not have to move forward with it. Uh, the fact is that there are those systems out there, so that provision won't, probably, won't need to be implemented, but it does allow that. If there's some stumbling blocks as they move forward with it, then they, they wouldn't have to move forward with the program. But with that Mr. Chair, uh, it'd be open for any questions. And when it's appropriate, I'll move the sub. I'll come back to the committee for committee discussion and or action on the sub

  4. Committee chair (presiding)43:37

     Senator Sandall?

  5. Sen. Scott D. Sandall43:38

     Yeah, let's, yeah, if it's okay, Mr. Chair, let's, uh, delete entitle embody Senate bill 2 61 and replace it with first substitute Senate bill 61.

  6. Committee chair (presiding)43:48

     That motion is in order. I'll place it. The motion is to delete entitled body SB 2 61 and replace it with SB 2 61 for substitute. Any discuss to that motion? Seeing none. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. The substitute has adopted. Um, any discussion or further committee action as it pertains to SB 2 61 for substitute? Senator Sandall, your light's on. Go to public comment.

  7. Sen. Scott D. Sandall44:19

     Oh, I apologize. Thank you.

  8. Committee chair (presiding)44:21

     Um, seeing no further comment, we'll go to the public. Anybody from the public would like to speak to this? Any online seeing none in present or online. We'll come back back to the committee for committee action or further discussion. Senator Sandall. Thank you.

  9. Sen. Scott D. Sandall44:35

     Now I'll move that, uh, we favorably recommend from this committee for substitute substitute Senate Bill 2 61. That would that motion to be in order?

  10. Committee chair (presiding)44:45

      Would you like to speak to it? I'll, I'll waive. Um, Senator, would you like to?

  11. Sen. Evan J. Vickers44:53

      No, I appreciate, uh, you know, your, the bill being heard and, and a few proposals, the changes we're proposing. So thank you.

  12. Committee chair (presiding)45:01

      The motion is to, uh, favorably recommend first substitute SB 2 61. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? I rule that motion passes unanimously. Okay, thanks. So our next time on agenda is for Senator Pitcher.

  13. Committee chair (presiding)45:49

      Senator Pitcher, I heard you online. Did you wanna present online or were you on your way in?

  14. Committee chair (presiding)45:58

      Okay. Thank you. Okay, we'll move to item number four on the agenda house bill 2 58

• Feb 24, 2026 Senate floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (7 turns)

  1. Sen. Evan J. Vickers1:24:17

     Uh, this bill comes from our, the State Pharmacy Board. Each year I'm asked to run some, uh, changes, some updates to the Pharmacy Practice Act. This just a couple of small ones this year. There's, uh, one that, uh, changed the, the format of a collaborative practice act that allows, oftentimes pharmacies will have collaborative practice acts with physicians to provide certain services. This would update it so that it could provide for an initiation of therapy. And then, um, there's a number of states, quite a few states actually have that allowed for a secure method to be able to sell pseudo Ferron online. Um, this provides that opportunity within, within our state. It does set up criteria. The, the state board and collaboration with others would have to create an online network. Now, the, the board does not do it, and there's no cost to the, to the state to do it. In fact, it's specifically says in the bill that if there is cost to the board then and to the state, that will will not move forward. But there are patterns in other states where it can be done without that. So we're not really concerned about that. And, uh, it's worked well in other states. So we're proposing to implement that in the State of Utah. With that, I might, I'd be open for any questions. Thank you.

  2. Senate President (presiding)1:25:32

     Looking for questions to the bill? Saying none. I'm gonna go to you. Senator Vickers.

  3. Sen. Evan J. Vickers1:25:39

     Thank you. I'd waive summation and move the first substitute Senate Bill 2 61. Be read a third time.

  4. Senate President (presiding)1:25:44

     Thank you. And the question is, shall first substitute Senate Bill 2 61? Be read at a third time. Roll call vote.

  5. Senate clerk1:25:50

     Senator Ipson Derry Aye. Lewin Brammer Bus Colmore. Ms. Camilla Aye. Fillmore Grover Harper Hankins Ipson Johnson Quan McKay. Mikel Milner Musselman Owens Pitcher Lum Rebe Sandal Stevenson Stratton Juab Juab Bickers Weiler Wilson Winterton, president Adams First substitute Senate Bill 2 61, having received first substitute Senate bill Oh yes. Aye. First substitute Senate Bill 2 61, having received 24 yay votes, zero nay votes.

  6. Senate President (presiding)1:27:10

     Five being absent shall be read a third time.

  7. Senate President (presiding)1:27:21

     Senator Escamilla.

• Feb 25, 2026 Senate floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (8 turns)

  1. Sen. Evan J. Vickers35:28

     One is, uh, a collaborative practice agreements that exist between pharmacists and physicians in certain areas. This, uh, init this, this has a small clarification in that it also adds, uh, vaccines to clarify in certain situations that pharmacists can't prescribe, then it creates an oppor, uh, a path for online sales of pseudo Ferron. With that, I'm open for questions.

  2. Senate President (presiding)35:54

     Alright. To the bill. Seeing no discussion. Senator Vickers.

  3. Sen. Evan J. Vickers36:00

     Thank you p Mr. President ProAm. I would waive summation and move the first substitute Senate Bill 2 61 pass.

  4. Senate President (presiding)36:06

     The motion is shall first substitute Senate Bill two sixty one pass. Roll call vote.

  5. Unknown speaker36:10speaker not certain

     Senator Vickers Fery blew in Brammer bus Comore Escamia Fillmore Aye. Rover Harper Hankins Ipson Johnson k Juab McKay Mikel Milner Musselman Owens Pitcher Thumb re, sandal Stevenson Stratton Aye. Vickers Aye. Weiler Aye. Wilson. Aye. Winterton

  6. Sen. J. Stuart Adams (presiding)36:53

     Winterton President Adams First substitute Senate Bill 2 61, having received 22 yay votes, zero nay votes, seven being absent passes and will be sent to the house for their consideration.

  7. Senate President (presiding)37:20

     Senator Escamilla.

  8. Sen. Luz Escamilla37:21

     Senator Escamilla. Thank you sir. Thank you Mr. President Pro Temp, uh, what this bill does, it, um, moves, um, meal programs for children, uh, within the one 85% to 200% of federal,

• Mar 3, 2026 House Health and Human Services Committee▶ Watch
  Transcript (18 turns)

  1. Committee chair (presiding)30:03

     We're going to, it looks like Senator Vickers, you're the only one here, so jump on up. Let's, let's get started. Okay.

  2. Sen. Evan J. Vickers30:22

     Thank you Madam Chair. Appreciate the opportunity to present today. Um, ever since I've been the legislature each year I worked with the State Pharmacy Board and worked with a few, few modifications they look forward to, to making the Practice Act. The Pharmacy Practice Act 2 61, uh, is the product of that just, uh, really just three simple things. Um, it amends the definition of a collaborative pharmacy practice agreement to conformed with actually adding where you can initiate therapy. So we have collaborative practice agreements between physicians and pharmacists, and, and in that this definition, it would allow us to, uh, to be able to enter into one of those with initiating therapy. There's, there's a, a short list of things that pharmacists can prescribe, and it's adding vaccines and epinephrine to that. And then it's setting up a process where you can, uh, order pseudo Ferron online. A lot of other states have done this and successfully, uh, been able to implement it. We, we, most of the bill, if you look, if you're looking at the red, you go to the bottom. Most of that is setting that process up. It's, it has all the requires to have all of the reporting and, and the verification. So for example, if you go into a pharmacy to buy pseudo and you have to use, use your id and those, those pieces are all in place and with the online version, um, and it, it, most of those programs, you can set those up, those, those online systems, you can set it up free of charge to the state. We actually put in a clause that said that if it's not free of charge, then the division would not have to set it up if they choose not to. Uh, with that, I'm hoping for any questions you might have. Thank you. I'll bring it back to the committee for any clarifying questions.

  3. Unknown speaker32:19speaker not certain

     I just have a quick one. When you're talking about, um, pharmacists, uh, being able to, you said prescribe or, yeah,

  4. Sen. Evan J. Vickers32:30

     There's, there's a few things. Um, may find that section of the bill that where vaccines are added. If you look on lines, if you start on line 4 82, and it goes down to like 4 96, there's a few things that we're allowed to prescribe, uh, smoking cessation, naloxone fluoride, and that was from last year. Um, um, a couple of other things we're just adding vaccines and epinephrine to that.

  5. Unknown speaker32:57speaker not certain

     Um, I get, so my question would just be, what, what would be the process of that? Someone just comes in and says, I want to get a vaccine, and then you, like, how does that process work? Yeah.

  6. Sen. Evan J. Vickers33:07

     Vaccines over the, over the years have kind of evolved. You know, it used to be you only got them in a physician's office and because of the demand and the the need to reach out to the public and have better access to the public, and it was determined the pharmacies was a good place to do that. Originally, I was done with pharmacy collaborative practice agreements between a physician and a pharmacist. Now it just moves it into the section where, so if a person comes in requesting a vaccine and they meet the criteria, then the pharmacist can go ahead and give it without having to use the, the criteria of a collaborative practice agreement.

  7. Committee chair (presiding)33:38

     Okay. Okay. All right. I'm seeing another question. Representative Gricius.

  8. Rep. Stephanie Gricius33:43

     Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I am just curious to know, when you get a vaccine in a pharmacy, what is the procedure after you get the vaccine? As far as storage or, Well, do you, do you have them? Wait, do you watch them to see if they're okay? I mean, I know that's the, the procedure in the, in the doctor's office.

  9. Sen. Evan J. Vickers34:04

     Uh, yes, you, we'd follow the same procedures. We, you in the physician's office and most, uh, most of the vaccines you're giving, uh, well, of course there was an awful lot of COVID vaccine, but there, you know, now you'll see flu shots and you can see, um, zo, you know, herpes zostrix, so you can he see, you know, things like that. But yeah, we do. And that is standard procedure protocol mm-hmm. Required of the pharmacies to do that? Yes, it Is. Okay.

  10. Committee chair (presiding)34:31

      Thank you. Thank you. All right. I'm not seeing any other clarifying questions. We'll take it to the public for public comment. Anyone who want, anyone want to comment on this? All right. Come on up and remember to state your name and who, who you what, who you're here representing.

  11. Adam Jones, Utah Pharmacy Association34:50

      Thank you, Madam Chair, Adam Jones with the Utah Pharmacy Association. Just wanted to talk real quickly in support of this bill. We appreciate Senator Vickers and all that he does, um, each year when we, when we talk about, uh, just, uh, small updates to the Pharmacy Practice Act, and this is one that, uh, we can definitely support and get behind. And, and he answered a number of those questions in regards to those processes. And, uh, some of those require education or other documentation that's provided. And, uh, so we're, we're happy to continue to do those things. Um, a lot of those things we're already doing, you know, vaccines we've been doing for a long time as well too. So just to encourage your support of the bill.

  12. Committee chair (presiding)35:27

      Thank you. Anyone else in the room? Not seeing anyone? Anyone not seeing anyone online? We'll bring it back to the committee for, um, motion or action Representative Daily. Provo.

  13. Rep. Jennifer Dailey-Provost35:41

      Thank you, Madam Chair. I'd like to make a motion to pass out for substitute senate Bill 2 61 pharmacy practice amendments with a favorable recommendation.

  14. Committee chair (presiding)35:48

      That motion is in order. Do you wanna speak to that?

  15. Rep. Jennifer Dailey-Provost35:51

      I am grateful for the sponsor for being proactive about a lot of these things. I think that, um, at the heart of it, it takes into account the rising cost of healthcare and recognizing the pivotal role that our pharmacists play in delivering good healthcare. Thank you. Thank

  16. Committee chair (presiding)36:09

      You. All right. We'll take it to the committee. I'm not seeing any comments. Take it to the sponsor for final summary.

  17. Sen. Evan J. Vickers36:17

      No, I appreciate your consideration of this, and, uh, you know, it's just, it's a collaborative effort of all of our healthcare providers to provide good pa patient care and, and provide opportunities to treat them in an appropriate manner. So, thanks.

  18. Committee chair (presiding)36:29

      Thank you. All right. So the motion is owe bring back to the maker of the motion. All right. The motion is to pass forward with a favorable recommendation SB 2 61 as substituted. All in favor say aye. A. Aye. Any opposed? That motion passes unanimously. Thank you. Thank you.

• Mar 6, 2026 House floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (4 turns)

  1. Speaker (presiding)1:09:57

     Representative Stevie Liston. Thank

  2. Rep. Steve Eliason1:10:00

     You Mr. Speaker. This is the Annual Pharmacy Practice Act amendments, uh, a little bit smaller than it's been in prior years. It now allows, uh, CPAs may, may now include initiation of therapy that's not certified public accountants. That's collabor collaborative pharmacy agreements. Um, and, uh, it also adds vaccines and epinephrine to what pharmacists may prescribe. They already have a list of items that can be prescribed. This just expands it slightly. It also, the, the Board of Pharmacy may approve and implement a real time electronic tracking system for pseu rine sales. This would allow Pseu Rine to be sold online with all the same protections of providing identity is required for in-person sales. Um, and then lastly, this their system must be available to the state. Free of charge. Access by retailers must also be free of charge to, to access that type of system. Those are the basics of what the Pharmacy Practice Act, uh, bill does. Mr. Speaker, thank you.

  3. Speaker (presiding)1:10:59

     Thank you, Representative Eliason discussion to the bill. See none back to your representative. Listen for summation, I'll waive summation has been waived. Voting now be open on first substitute SB 2 61.

  4. Speaker (presiding)1:11:47

     All present, having voted voting is now closed. First substitute SB 2 61 passes this body with 63 yes votes one no vote and will be signed by the speaker sent to the Senate for the signature of the president, go to Madam Reading Clerk