Pharmacists and other providers should beware of a medical consent requirement buried in the new “Parents’ Bill of Rights” signed by Governor Desantis. The law will be codified at Fla. Statutes § 1014.06 and became effective on July 1, 2021. While most see it as an educational bill that allows parents to be more involved in decisions about the education of their children, there are also requirements for “Health Care Practitioners.” The term “health care practitioners,” 456.001, F.S.,  is defined in Chapter 456, Florida Statutes, and includes all licensees and permittees authorized by the Department of Health, including pharmacists and pharmacies, physicians, nurses, etc. The law states that, except as otherwise required by law, health care practitioners, or persons employed by them, may not provide “health care services” or prescribe medicinal drugs to a minor, without first obtaining written parental consent. There is a similar requirement for health care facilities. This law does not affect most health care providers and facilities as most already seek and obtain such parental consents in advance of treating minors.  However, except for when they provide immunizations, pharmacies have not historically obtained written consents from a minor’s parents. Continue Reading