Contributed by Nawshin Ali, Esquire
(412) 594-5530, nali@tuckerlaw.com
Certified registered nurse practitioners (CRNPs) in Pennsylvania now have expanded authority in prescribing drugs due to amendments to the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing (49 Pa.Code Ch. 21) effective as of December 12, 2009.
CRNPs can now prescribe Schedule II controlled substances for up to a 30-day supply, where previously they could prescribe for only 72 hours. The revised regulations also eliminate the requirement that CRNPs notify their collaborating physician within 24 hours of prescribing a Schedule II controlled substance. Additionally, CRNPs may now prescribe Schedule III and IV controlled substances for up to a 90-day supply, up from the previous 30-day limit.
The full text of the revised regulations can be found in The Pennsylvania Bulletin at http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol39/39-50/2276.html.
CRNPs should file the State Board of Nursing’s Prescriptive Authority Change Form, available at http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bpoa/lib/bpoa/20/nurs_board/crnp_prescriptive_authoritity_change_form.pdf, to change controlled substance schedules, timeframes, or drug categories on existing collaborative agreements. More information can also be found on the State Board of Nursing’s list of frequently asked questions at http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bpoa/lib/bpoa/20/nurs_board/faqs_crnp_prescriptive_auth.pdf.
