Who may dispense Emergency Contraception based on Standing Orders?

Emergency contraception may be dispensed by a licensed pharmacist based on standing orders. This practice aligns with the regulations in Massachusetts, where licensed pharmacists have the authority to provide emergency contraception without a prescription. The role of pharmacists in this context is to ensure patient access to important medications, particularly in urgent situations where timely intervention is essential.

In contrast, other individuals listed, such as licensed nurses, pharmacy technicians, and unregistered pharmacists, do not have the same legal authority to dispense medication under standing orders in this specific scenario. Licensed nurses may have the ability to provide certain medications, but this typically occurs in more controlled settings and under different protocols. Pharmacy technicians support the pharmacists but lack the legal capacity to dispense medications independently. Unregistered pharmacists do not hold the necessary credentials to dispense any medications legally. Thus, the correct choice highlights the specific role of licensed pharmacists in dispensing emergency contraception in Massachusetts.