Legal Status of EPT in Iowa

“This chapter does not prevent a practitioner from delegating the administration of a prescription drug to a nurse, intern or other qualified individual… under the practitioner’s direction and supervision.” Iowa Code § 155A.4(2)(c)

“A physician, physician assistant, or advanced registered nurse practitioner who diagnoses a sexually transmitted chlamydia or gonorrhea infection in an individual patient may prescribe, dispense, furnish, or otherwise provide prescription oral antibiotic drugs to that patient’s sexual partner or partners without examination of that patient’s partner or partners.“ Iowa Code Ann. § 139A.41

The AG addressed whether a physician had to be present while his or her agent (e.g., pharmacist) administered a prescription drug. The AG concluded “that supervision of an agent who is administering a prescription drug under the Iowa Pharmacy Practice Act does not necessarily require the physical presence of a physician. 2000 Iowa AG LEXIS 44.’ While the AG concluded that its opinion was consistent with proposed rules proffered by the Iowa Board of Pharmacy Examiners and the Board of Medical Examiners, it also noted that it is not attempting to determine who is medically qualified to administer prescription drugs or what constitutes adequate supervision among health care professionals.

Statutory authority expressly authorizes EPT for the treatment of chlamydia and gonorrhea.