California Laws

Direct Dispensing of Controlled Substances Laws

Question:

Are Physician Assistants limited to dispensing medications to the extent the supervising physician authorizes?

Answer:
Yes
This answer is derived from 2 section of law
Citation:
  • citation 1: see full citation
    In addition to the services authorized in the regulations adopted by the Medical Board of California, and except as prohibited by Section 3502, while under the supervision of a licensed physician and surgeon or physicians and surgeons authorized by law to supervise a physician assistant, a physician assistant may administer or provide medication to a patient, or transmit orally, or in writing on a patient’s record or in a drug order, an order to a person who may lawfully furnish the medication or medical device pursuant to subdivisions (c) and (d). see full law
  • citation 2: see full citation
    A physician assistant shall not administer, provide, or issue a drug order to a patient for Schedule II through Schedule V controlled substances without advance approval by a supervising physician and surgeon for that particular patient unless the physician assistant has completed an education course that covers controlled substances and that meets standards, including pharmacological content, approved by the board. see full law