On Friday, September 23, 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis declared a State of Emergency to prepare for Hurricane Ian.

Medical professionals and workers, social workers, and counselors with good and valid professional licenses issued by states other than the State of Florida may render such services in Florida during this emergency for persons affected by this emergency with the condition that such services be rendered to such persons free of charge, and with the further condition that such services be rendered under the auspices of the American Red Cross or the Florida Department of Health.

Under a State of Emergency, a pharmacist, in his or her professional judgment, may dispense up to a 30-day emergency prescription refill of maintenance medication to persons who reside in an area or county covered under the Executive Order and to emergency personnel who have been activated by their state or local agency but who do not reside in an area or county covered by this Executive Order. In accordance with section 465.019(4)(b), Florida Statutes, a hospital that operates a Class II or Class III institutional pharmacy located in an area or county covered under this Executive Order may prescribe and dispense a supply of a medicinal drug lasting up to 72 hours.

However, this statutory allowance specifically prohibits dispensation of a medicinal drug listed in Schedule II appearing in chapter 893 and is not permitted under section 465.0275, Florida Statutes.

In the event a pharmacist receives a request for a prescription refill and the pharmacist is unable to readily obtain refill authorization from the prescriber, the pharmacist may dispense a one-time emergency refill of up to a 72-hour supply of the prescribed medication; or a one-time emergency refill of one vial of insulin to treat diabetes mellitus, irrespective of the issuance of an Executive Order.

The full version of the Governor’s Executive Order may be found at: EO-22-219.pdf (flgov.com)