Legal Status of EPT in Wisconsin

At a glance

EPT is permissible in Wisconsin as of April 1, 2022.

Findings

[+] supports the use of EPT

[-] negatively affects the use of EPT

I. Statutes/regs on health care providers’ authority to prescribe for STDs to a patient’s partner(s) w/out prior evaluation
[+] “Notwithstanding the requirements of s. 448.30, a physician or certified advanced practice nurse prescriber may provide expedited partner therapy if the patient is diagnosed as infected with a chlamydial infection, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis and the patient has had sexual contact with a sexual partner during which the chlamydial infection, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis may have been transmitted to or from the sexual partner.” Wis. Stat. § 448.035
II. Specific judicial decisions concerning EPT (or like practices)
III. Specific administrative opinions by the Attorney General or medical or pharmacy boards concerning EPT (or like practices)
[+] The Wisconsin Medical Examining Board recognizes the CDC guidelines for the practice of EPT and supports the passage of legislative authority to expressly authorize the provision of EPT treatment by licensed physicians in Wisconsin.
IV. Laws that incorporate via reference guidelines as acceptable practices (including EPT)
[+] “The official statements of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shall be considered in the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases unless otherwise specified by the state epidemiologist. Specific medical treatment shall be prescribed by a physician or advanced practice nurse prescriber.” Wis. Admin. Code (DHS) § 145.22.
V. Prescription requirements
[+] “A pharmacist may, upon the prescription order of a practitioner providing expedited partner therapy, as specified in s. 448.035, that complies with the requirements of sub. (1), dispense an antimicrobial drug as a course of therapy for treatment of chlamydial infections, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis to the practitioner’s patient or a person with whom the patient has had sexual contact for use by the person with whom the patient has had sexual contact.” Wis. Stat. § 450.11(1g)(b)
[+] A prescription order for an antimicrobial drug prepared under this subsection shall include the name and address of the patient’s sexual partner, if known. Wis. Stat. § 448.035(2)
VI. Assessment of EPT’s legal status with brief comments
EPT is permissible. Statutory authority expressly authorizes EPT for the treatment of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis and is supported by the Wisconsin Medical Examining Board.