What must be in place for a pharmacist in Delaware to initiate therapy?

In Delaware, a pharmacist must have a collaborative practice agreement or specific protocols in place to initiate therapy. This means that the pharmacist is working collaboratively with a physician or under established clinical guidelines that dictate the scope and conditions under which the pharmacist can initiate therapy. This framework ensures that pharmacists can provide patient care in a manner that is both safe and regulated, promoting a team-based approach to healthcare.

A collaborative practice agreement outlines the roles and responsibilities of both the pharmacist and the physician and details the specific medications and therapy management activities the pharmacist is allowed to handle. This relationship is crucial for ensuring that treatment decisions are made in coordination with a healthcare provider, ultimately enhancing patient safety and care outcomes.

In contrast, relying solely on a written prescription or verbal agreements does not provide the necessary collaborative structure or oversight for initiating therapy. Although patient approval is essential in the context of patient care, it does not replace the requirement for formal protocols or agreements that govern a pharmacist's ability to initiate therapy independently.