Georgia Laws

Requirements for Licensure and Operations of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment

Question:

What practitioners are authorized to prescribe medications for opioid use disorder?

Answer:
  • Physicians
  • Nurse practitioners
  • Physician assistants
This answer is derived from 2 section of law
Citation:
  • citation 1: see full citation
    (1)  In addition to and without limiting the authority granted by Code Section 43-34-23, a physician may delegate to a physician assistant, in accordance with a job description, the authority to issue a prescription drug order or orders for any device as defined in Code Section 26-4-5 or to issue any dangerous drug as defined in Code Section 16-13-71 or any Schedule III, IV, or V controlled substance as defined in Code Section 16-13-21 on a prescription drug order or prescription device order form as specified in paragraph (3) of this subsection. Delegation of such authority shall be contained in the job description required by this Code section. The delegating physician shall remain responsible for the medical acts of the physician assistant performing such delegated acts and shall adequately supervise the physician assistant. If an existing job description for a physician assistant does not contain such authority to order a prescription drug or device order as provided by this subsection, that physician assistant may not issue any such prescription drug or device order until a new job description delegating such authority is submitted to and approved by the board. Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to authorize the written prescription drug order of a Schedule I or II controlled substance. see full law
  • citation 2: see full citation
    (e)Shall comply with the provisions of O.C.G.A. § 43-34-25 regarding prescription drug orders placed by an APRN for a drug or medical device including, but not limited to, the following:1.No prescription drug orders submitted by an APRN for Schedule I or II controlled substances;2.No refills of any drug for more than 12 months from the date of the original Order, except in the case of oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, or prenatal vitamins, which may be refilled for a period of 24 months;3.No drug order or medical device that may result in the performance or occurrence of an abortion, including the administration, prescription or issuance of a drug order that is intended to cause an abortion to occur pharmacologically;4.Written prescription drug orders shall be signed by the APRN, be written on forms that comply with the nurse protocol agreement, and such forms shall contain the information required by paragraph (d) of O.C.G.A. § 43-34-25;5.A written provision in the nurse protocol agreement authorizing the APRN to request, receive, and sign for professional samples, and to distribute them to patients in accordance with a list of professional samples approved by the delegating physician that is maintained by the office or facility where the APRN works and that requires the documentation of each sample received and dispensed; and6.Compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to the ordering, maintenance, and dispensing of drugs. see full law