Section 4730.432 | Authority to prescribe or furnish drugs to sexual partner of a patient diagnosed with chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis.
(A)(1) Notwithstanding any conflicting provision of this chapter or rule adopted by the state medical board, a physician assistant who holds a valid prescriber number issued by the board and has been granted physician-delegated prescriptive authority may issue a prescription for or personally furnish a complete or partial supply of a drug to treat chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis without having examined the individual for whom the drug is intended, if all of the following conditions are met:
(a) The individual is a sexual partner of the physician assistant's patient.
(b) The patient has been diagnosed with chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis.
(c) The patient reports to the physician assistant that the individual is unable or unlikely to be evaluated or treated by a health professional.
(2) A prescription issued under this section shall include the individual's name and address, if known. If the physician assistant is unable to obtain the individual's name and address, the prescription shall include the patient's name and address and the words "expedited partner therapy" or the letters "EPT."
(3) A physician assistant may prescribe or personally furnish a drug under this section for not more than a total of two individuals who are sexual partners of the physician assistant's patient.
(B) For each drug prescribed or personally furnished under this section, the physician assistant shall do all of the following:
(1) Provide the patient with information concerning the drug for the purpose of sharing the information with the individual, including directions for use of the drug and any side effects, adverse reactions, or known contraindications associated with the drug;
(2) Recommend to the patient that the individual seek treatment from a health professional;
(3) Document all of the following in the patient's record:
(a) The name of the drug prescribed or furnished and its dosage;
(b) That information concerning the drug was provided to the patient for the purpose of sharing the information with the individual;
(c) If known, any adverse reactions the individual experiences from treatment with the drug.
(C) A physician assistant who prescribes or personally furnishes a drug under this section may contact the individual for whom the drug is intended.
(1) If the physician assistant contacts the individual, the physician assistant shall do all of the following:
(a) I nform the individual that the individual may have been exposed to chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis;
(b) Encourage the individual to seek treatment from a health professional;
(c) Explain the treatment options available to the individual, including treatment with a prescription drug, directions for use of the drug, and any side effects, adverse reactions, or known contraindications associated with the drug;
(d) Document in the patient's record that the physician assistant contacted the individual.
(2) If the physician assistant does not contact the individual, the physician assistant shall document that fact in the patient's record.
(D) A physician assistant who in good faith prescribes or personally furnishes a drug under this section is not liable for or subject to any of the following:
(1) Damages in any civil action ;
(2) Prosecution in any criminal proceeding ;
(3) Professional disciplinary action.
Available Versions of this Section
- March 23, 2016 – House Bill 124 - 131st General Assembly [ View March 23, 2016 Version ]