I. Statutes/regs on health care providers’ authority
to prescribe for STDs to a patient’s partner(s) w/out prior evaluation (Explanation) |
The only person who can treat or prescribe drugs for a venereal
disease is a licensed physician, and no prescription shall be given unless
the name, address, and occupation of the patient are known. Colo.
Rev. Stat. § 25-4-403.
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II. Specific judicial decisions concerning EPT (or like practices) (Explanation) |
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III. Specific administrative opinions by the Attorney General
or medical or pharmacy boards concerning EPT (or like practices) (Explanation) |
It is the position of the Colorado Board of Medical Examiners that
the public risk of untreated sexually transmitted infection is greater
than the risk of complications from prescribing in this less than ideal
setting. Colorado
Medical Board of Examiners Policy Number: 40-10 “Appropriateness
of Treating Partners of Patients with Sexually Transmitted Infection” states, “There
is compelling need for the partner to receive treatment in the form of
prescription medications. Treating partners of patients with sexually transmitted
infections is generally considered acceptable and desirable if the partner
will not seek treatment from his or her primary healthcare provider.” |
IV. Legislative bills or prospective regulations concerning EPT
(or like practices) (Explanation) |
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V. Laws that incorporate via reference guidelines as acceptable
practices (including EPT) (Explanation) |
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VI. Prescription requirements (Explanation) |
It is the position of the Colorado Pharmacy Board that the public risk of untreated sexually transmitted infection is greater than the risk of complications from dispensing in this less than ideal setting.
Colorado State Board of Pharmacy Policy Number: 40-4
"Appropriateness of Labeling Prescriptions
to Partners of Patients with Sexually Transmitted Infections" Prescription label must include the name of the patient. Colo.
Rev. Stat. § 12-22-123(2). |
VII. Assessment of EPT’s legal status with brief comments (Explanation) |
EPT is permissible.
Unlike other jurisdictions, the issuance of a prescription does not
require an advance physical examination of each patient. The Medical
Board has expressly supported EPT and deems it an acceptable practice.
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Status as of November 20,
2007 |