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Bill

SB 506

Health Occupations - Pharmacists - Minor Conditions and HIV Prevention and Treatment

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Karen Young

SB 506 grants Maryland pharmacists independent authority to diagnose minor conditions and prescribe HIV prevention/treatment medications, expanding clinical scope beyond traditional dispensing.

Hearing 2/17 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · SB 506

Legislative bill overview

SB 506 expands pharmacist scope of practice in Maryland to allow them to independently diagnose and treat minor acute conditions and provide HIV prevention and treatment services, including prescribing medications like PrEP and antiretroviral therapy. The bill represents a significant shift in pharmacy regulation, moving beyond traditional dispensing roles toward expanded clinical authority.

Why is this important

This bill addresses healthcare access gaps by leveraging pharmacists as more accessible points of care for common health issues and HIV services, potentially reducing burden on physician offices and improving medication access. Given pharmacist ubiquity in communities and extended hours, such expansion could improve equity in healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved areas.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope creep concerns: Medical boards may argue that independent diagnosis of acute conditions encroaches on physician authority and could lead to diagnostic errors without physician oversight
  • HIV treatment complexity: Critics may contend that antiretroviral therapy and PrEP management involve complex patient monitoring, drug interactions, and comorbidity assessments requiring physician involvement
  • Liability and malpractice: Questions remain about insurance coverage, liability frameworks, and whether current malpractice insurance would cover expanded clinical decisions
  • Training standardization: Unclear what additional clinical training or certification pharmacists must complete, risking inconsistent quality of care across providers

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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