Legal Status of EPT in Alabama
EPT is potentially allowable.
I. Statutes/regs on health care providers’ authority to prescribe for STDs to a patient’s partner(s) w/out prior evaluation (Explanation) | Generally, providing a prescription to patient without examination is considered misconduct. EPT is not listed among exceptions. Ala. Admin. Code r. 540-X-9-.11. Certified nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives may not prescribe for individuals who are not patients of the practice. Ala. Admin. Code rr. 610-X-5-.11, .22 |
---|---|
II. Specific judicial decisions concerning EPT (or like practices) (Explanation) | |
III. Specific administrative opinions by the Attorney General or medical or pharmacy boards concerning EPT (or like practices) (Explanation) | |
IV. Legislative bills or prospective regulations concerning EPT (or like practices) (Explanation) | |
V. Laws that incorporate via reference guidelines as acceptable practices (including EPT) (Explanation) | “The State Committee of Public Health designates that the treatment of STDs shall be those accepted by the State Health Officer and consistent with recognized medical and epidemiologic information.” Ala. Admin Code r. 420-4-1-.05. |
VI. Prescription requirements (Explanation) | A registered nurse in the employment of the State Health Department or a county health department may, in the provision of
health care services, dispense legend drugs as provided in this section
under the standing orders or direct supervision of a physician licensed
to practice medicine in this state and pursuant to procedures established
by the Board of Pharmacy and implemented by a pharmacist licensed to practice
pharmacy in this state. The nurse may dispense the legend drugs for the
treatment of . . . sexually transmitted diseases, . . . if approved by
the State Board of Pharmacy.
Ala. Code ยง 34-23-11(b) Patient identifying information is not required on prescription labels. Ala. Admin. Code r. 680-X-2-.13. |
VII. Assessment of EPT’s legal status with brief comments (Explanation) | EPT is potentially allowable. Under general circumstances, a physician must conduct a physical exam prior to prescribing a medication. The administrative opinion provides that under some circumstances, a physician may delegate the authority to dispense drugs to a nurse (and perhaps others as well, such as the patient). When coupled with authority of the State Comm. of Public Health to recommend EPT as consistent with recognized medical and epidemiological evidence, EPT is potentially allowable. |
Status as of August 16, 2006 |
Legend
supports the use of EPT
negatively affects the use of EPT
EPT is permissible
EPT is potentially allowable
EPT is prohibited
This area depicts a map of the United States with clickable regions. The regions are also listed in the table below.
Exception: EPT is permissible in Baltimore, Maryland.
Summary Totals