Nurse practitioners (NPs) in Kentucky who have prescribed for a specific population of patients (adults, geriatric, pediatric, etc.) for 4 years under a collaborative agreement with a physician may be released from the collaboration requirement, under a bill signed into law last month. The bill applies to the prescription of non-scheduled legend drugs. NPs who prescribe controlled drugs, and those with less than 4 years of prescribing experience, still will need a collaborative agreement.
Previously, Kentucky NPs who prescribe were required to have a collaborative agreement with a physician. The bill was aimed at increasing access to care. In some Kentucky counties the only primary care provider is a nurse practitioner.

Source: Carolyn Buppert, NP, JD, newsletter@buppert.com/ www.buppert.com.