Legal Status of EPT

Legal Status of EPT - Louisiana

EPT is permissible.

I. Statutes/regs on health care providers’ authority to prescribe for STDs to a patient’s partner(s) w/out prior evaluation (Explanation)	“A prescription issued…in the absence of a documented patient evaluation including a physical examination, is issued outside the context of a valid physician-patient relationship, and is not a valid prescription.” LA Admin Code Tit. 46 Part LIII Chapt 25 Subchapt A § 2515
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)	“It is the position of the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners that: (i) it is in contravention of the Louisiana Medical Practice Act for a physician to prescribe medication, treatment or a plan of care generally if the physician has not established a physician patient relationship.” [Link to Medical Board Opinion]
IV. Legislative bills or prospective regulations concerning EPT (or like practices) (Explanation)	SB 238 adds Section 1.R.S.40:1064.1 to provide for expedited partner therapy. SB 238 was passed by the State Legislature and sent to the Governor for signature on June 18, 2008. History of the bill.
V. Laws that incorporate via reference guidelines as acceptable practices (including EPT) (Explanation)
VI. Prescription requirements (Explanation)	Prescription label must bear patient’s name. La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 1702; see also Tit. 46 Part LIII Chapt 25 Subchapt A §2527
VII. Assessment of EPT’s legal status with brief comments (Explanation)	EPT is permissible. Statutory authority expressly authorizes EPT for the treatment of chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Status as of August 1, 2008

Legend:
supports the use of EPT	EPT is permissible
negatively affects the use of EPT	EPT is potentially allowable
	EPT is prohibited

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Summary Totals

Exception: EPT is permissible in Baltimore, Maryland.

Page last modified: August 1, 2008
Page last reviewed: August 1, 2008
Content Source: Division of STD Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention