Rule 4729:5-14-05 | Protocols and Verbal Orders for Drug Administration.
(A) An emergency medical services professional with a certificate to practice and acting within their scope of practice may administer directly (but not prescribe) a dangerous drug, including controlled substances, outside the physical presence of a medical director or authorizing prescriber in accordance with the following:
(1) A protocol or standing order that is issued and adopted by one or more medical directors of the EMS organization; or
(2) A verbal order that is:
(a) Issued in accordance with a policy of the organization; and
(b) Provided by a medical director or an authorizing prescriber in response to a request by the emergency medical services professional with respect to a specific patient in any of the following circumstances:
(i) In the case of a mass casualty incident; or
(ii) To ensure the proper care and treatment of a specific patient.
(B) An emergency medical services professional with a certificate to practice and acting within their scope of practice may administer directly (but not prescribe) an initial dose of buprenorphine, or another medication for opioid use disorder approved by the board, to a patient who is experiencing opioid use disorder in accordance with a protocol approved by the organization's medical director. Such a protocol shall ensure that the EMS organization is able to provide a direct linkage to a program or prescriber who will continue the patient's therapy.
(C) A controlled substance administered in accordance with paragraph (B) of this rule is exempted from reporting to the drug database established in section 4729.75 of the Revised Code.
Last updated December 4, 2025 at 2:30 PM
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