IndestBy George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law
On March 11, 2016, the Florida Legislature approved a measure that would expand the drug prescribing powers of all Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNPs) and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), and also including Physician Assistants (PAs), to authorizing them to prescribe controlled substances. This decision comes as big news as medical associations such as Florida Association of Nurse Anesthetists (FANA) and the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) have been battling for this right for many years.

HB 423 – ARNP/PA Controlled Substance Prescribing.

This HB 423 allows ARNPs and PAs to prescribe controlled substances under existing supervision and protocol requirements, as well as subject to a formulary to be developed by a committee made up of ARNPs, Medical Doctors (MDs) and a pharmacist. The formulary does not apply to controlled substances ordered by a CRNA for pre-anesthetic, anesthetic or post-anesthetic recovery purposes.

HB 423 Limitations.

Prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances are limited to a 7-day supply, with an exception for psychiatric medications. Additionally, psychiatric medications for patients under 18 years of age may only be prescribed by a psychiatric nurse.

This bill also allows the AANA to conduct continuing education classes required by this bill. Medical Associations such as FANA strongly support this historic piece of legislation, which took more than two decades to pass the Florida Legislature.

Click here to view HB 423.

To learn more, read one of my past blogs on this topic here.

This bill will now be forwarded to the governor, Rick Scott, for signature. It is not a law until it is signed by the governor, who may still decide to veto it.

Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced in Representing Nurses.

The Health Law Firm’s attorneys routinely represent registered nurses, nurse practitioners, advanced practice registered nurses, certified registered nurse anesthetists, midwives and licensed practical nurses in Department of Health (DOH) investigations, in appearances before the Board of Nursing in licensing matters and in many other legal matters. We represent nurses across the U.S., and throughout Florida.

To contact The Health Law Firm, please call (407) 331-6620 or visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.
Sources:

“Historic Legislation Passes-Controlled Substance Prescriptive Authority For All Florida ARNPs Including CRNAs.” FANA. (March 11, 2016). Web.

“Series Of Health Care Bills Poised To Pass House.” Health News Florida. (March 12, 2016). Web.

About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law. He is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.

Keywords: Florida Legislature, controlled substance prescriptive authority, Florida ARNPs , CRNAs and PAs, HB 423, ARNP/PA Controlled Substance Prescribing, Florida Association of Nurse Anesthetists (FANA), American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA), legal counsel for Nurses, nursing defense lawyer, health care attorney, health law defense attorney, historic legislation, health care law, nurse attorney, nurse lawyer, nurse representation, The Health Law Firm

“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of George F. Indest III, P.A. – The Health Law Firm, a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.

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