Expands the existing law regarding collaborative practice agreements between pharmacists and physicians to allow other healthcare providers to enter into such agreements and removes the definition of “collaborative practice committee.”

Plain-English Summary

Currently, Rhode Island law allows pharmacists and physicians (medical doctors) to enter into formal working arrangements called "collaborative practice agreements." These agreements let pharmacists take on expanded roles in patient care — such as adjusting medication doses or managing drug therapies — under the supervision and guidance of a physician. This bill would broaden that existing law to allow pharmacists to enter into these same types of agreements with a wider range of healthcare providers, not just physicians.

Under this bill, other licensed healthcare professionals — such as nurse practitioners or other qualified providers — could partner with pharmacists through these formal agreements. This means patients could receive more coordinated medication management from a broader team of healthcare professionals. The bill also removes a specific term from the law — the definition of "collaborative practice committee" — which appears to be a technical cleanup to simplify the legal language.

This change would primarily affect pharmacists, physicians, and other healthcare providers in Rhode Island, as well as the patients they serve. For patients, especially those managing chronic conditions or complex medication regimens, this could mean more flexible and accessible care, since a greater variety of healthcare providers could authorize pharmacists to play a more active role in their treatment. The bill has been moving through the legislative process, with a committee recommending its passage as of early 2026.