News

News  Circular Letter: DCP 23-04-119

4/21/2023
  • Drug Control Program
  • Prescription Monitoring Program

To:            Practitioners, Health Facilities, Health Care Entities, and Community Programs

From:       James Lavery, Director, Bureau of Health Professions Licensure, David Johnson, Director, Drug Control Program

Date:        April 21, 2023

Subject:    Utilization of Unlicensed Staff to Administer Rescue Medications

This Circular Letter is issued by the Drug Control Program (DCP), which is part of the Bureau of Health Professions Licensure (BHPL), to notify practitioners, health facilities, and community programs about new provisions in 105 CMR 700.000 Implementation of M.G.L. c 94C, which permit Practitioners, Health Facilities, Health Care Entities, and Community Programs to train unlicensed staff to administer rescue medications to an individual the staff person reasonably believes to be experiencing a life-threatening emergency

As recently amended, 105 CMR 700.003(C) and (L) authorize Practitioners, Health Facilities, Health Care Entities, and Community Programs to train their unlicensed staff to administer rescue medications to individuals the staff reasonably believes to be experiencing a life-threatening emergency, where either the medication is in the possession of the individual to whom it is to be administered, or the medication is otherwise legally in the possession of the Practitioner, Health Facility, Health Care Entity, or Community Program.

The medication must be administered in accordance with either an existing prescription or a practitioner’s order, which may include a standing order, and in accordance with the instructions on a manufacturer’s package insert. 

Additionally, this authorization requires the Practitioner, Health Facility, Health Care Entity, or Community Program to provide training to participating unlicensed staff that is appropriate to the clinical setting and the rescue medications to be administered. 

Implementation of this authorization is not required of any registrant.  It is an option available to Practitioners, Health Facilities, Health Care Entities, and Community Programs, who may decide whether the authorization fits their service model.  A participating registrant may choose which staff to authorize to administer rescue medications on its premises and may select specific rescue medications or types of rescue medications or exclude others from its program. 

Please direct any questions or concerns to the Drug Control Program: dcp.dph@mass.gov

Circular Letter

Additional Resources   for Circular Letter: DCP 23-04-119

  • Drug Control Program 

    We promote access to safe and effective pharmaceutical care services in Massachusetts. We work to protect consumers against fraud, deception, and unsafe practices in the distribution, handling, and use of pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
  • Prescription Monitoring Program 

    The PMP tracks statewide Schedule II-V prescriptions. With this system in place, we can give practitioners the tools they need to make the best clinical decisions.
  • Help Us Improve Mass.gov  with your feedback

    Please do not include personal or contact information.
    Feedback