Section 1350.55  Prescriptive Authority

a)         A collaborating physician may, but is not required to, delegate limited prescriptive authority to a physician assistant.  This authority may, but is not required to, include prescription and dispensing of legend drugs and controlled substances categorized as Schedule II, III, IV, or V controlled substances, as defined in Article II of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act and other preparations, including but not limited to, botanical and herbal remedies, as delegated in the written guidelines required by the Act. (Section 7.5 of the Act)   The collaborating physician must have a valid, current Illinois controlled substance license and federal registration with the Drug Enforcement Agency to delegate the authority to prescribe controlled substances.

b)         Pursuant to Section 7.5(b)(3) of the Act, a collaborating physician may, but is not required to, delegate authority to a physician assistant to prescribe Schedule II controlled substances by oral dosage or topical or transdermal application, if all of the following conditions apply:

1)         The delegated Schedule II controlled substance is specially identified by either brand name or generic name.  Schedule II controlled substances to be delivered by injection or other route of administration may not be delegated.

2)         The delegated Schedule II controlled substances are routinely prescribed by the collaborating physician or podiatric physician.

3)         Any prescription must be limited to no more than a 30-day supply, with any continuation authorized only after prior approval of the collaborating physician.

4)         The physician assistant must discuss the condition of any patients for whom a controlled substance is prescribed monthly with the collaborating physician.

5)         The physician assistant meets the education requirements of Section 303.05 of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act.

c)        A physician assistant who has been delegated prescriptive authority shall be required to obtain a mid-level practitioner-controlled substances license under Section 303.05 of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act.  The collaborating physician shall file with the Department notice of delegation of prescriptive authority to a physician assistant and termination of delegation, specifying the authority delegated or terminated.

d)       A collaborating physician and physician assistant shall have written guidelines that govern the physician assistant delegated prescriptive authority.  The written guidelines shall include a statement indicating that the collaborating physician has delegated prescriptive authority for legend drugs and/or any schedule of controlled substances.  The delegation must be appropriate to the physician's practice and within the scope of the physician assistant's training.  The written guidelines shall be signed by both the physician and the physician assistant.  The physician assistant's state-controlled substance license number and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration number shall be maintained at each location where the physician assistant practices.  A copy of the written prescriptive guidelines shall be made immediately available upon request.

e)         A physician assistant may only prescribe or dispense prescriptions or orders for drugs and medical supplies within the scope of practice of the collaborating physician.

f)         Medication orders issued by a physician assistant shall be reviewed periodically by the collaborating physician.

(Source:  Amended at 44 Ill. Reg. 2519, effective January 31, 2020)