2011 Arizona Revised Statutes
Title 32 Professions and Occupations
32-1706 Use of pharmaceutical agents

32-1706. Use of pharmaceutical agents

A. A licensee may prescribe, dispense and administer over-the-counter pharmaceuticals and topical prescription pharmaceuticals subject to the pharmaceutical agent classifications specified in section 32-1728.

B. A licensee may prescribe, dispense and administer the following oral prescription pharmaceuticals subject to the pharmaceutical agent classifications specified in section 32-1728:

1. Antibiotics classified as tetracycline and its derivatives, cephalosporins, penicillin and its derivatives and macrolides and antivirals for the treatment of diseases of the eye and its adnexa. A licensee may prescribe these antibiotics and antivirals for any one patient for each occurrence for a period not more than the day limit recommended by the manufacturer or by the physicians' desk reference. If the patient's condition is other than blepharitis and does not improve during the first seventy-two hours of treatment by means of an oral antibiotic or an oral antiviral, the licensee shall consult with the patient's primary care physician or other family physician for the purpose of referral of the patient to a physician who specializes in ophthalmology, infectious diseases, internal medicine or neurology. After the referral has been made, the licensee shall consult with the specialist. The licensee shall note the consultation in the patient's file. If the treatment is by oral antibiotics for blepharitis and if the patient's condition does not improve during the first ten days of treatment, the licensee shall request the patient's primary care physician or other family physician to refer the patient to a physician who specializes in ophthalmology, infectious diseases, internal medicine or neurology. On notification of the referral the licensee shall consult with the specialist. The licensee shall note the consultation in the patient's file. If the condition is not resolved at the end of the normal treatment period, the licensee shall request the patient's primary care physician or other family physician to refer the patient to a physician who specializes in ophthalmology, infectious diseases, internal medicine or neurology. On notification of the referral the licensee shall consult with the specialist. The licensee shall note the consultation in the patient's file. A licensee shall not prescribe, dispense or administer an oral antibiotic or an oral antiviral to a person who is under six years of age. For the purposes of this paragraph, "physician" means a person who is licensed pursuant to chapter 13 or 17 of this title.

2. Antihistamines. A licensee may prescribe an antihistamine for not more than seven days for any one patient for each occurrence. If the patient's condition does not improve during the first seven days of treatment, the licensee shall refer the patient to the patient's primary care physician or other physician licensed pursuant to chapter 13 or 17 of this title.

3. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. A licensee may prescribe a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent for not more than fourteen days for any one patient for each occurrence. A licensee shall not prescribe, dispense or administer a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent to a person who is under six years of age.

C. A licensee may prescribe, dispense and administer a schedule III controlled substance only if it is an analgesic.

D. A licensee shall not prescribe, dispense or administer the following prescription substances:

1. An oral steroid.

2. An oral antifungal.

3. An oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitor.

4. An oral antimetabolite.

5. An oral immunosuppressive.

6. A substance administered intravenously.

7. Except as provided in subsection E of this section, substances administered by injection.

8. A schedule I, II, IV or V controlled substance.

9. An oral agent for the treatment of closed angle glaucoma attack.

E. A licensee may use epinephrine auto-injectors to counteract an anaphylactic reaction. A licensee who uses auto-injectors may order and maintain anaphylactic-related supplies. The board shall require a licensee to maintain in the licensee's office medically necessary supportive equipment and supplies that are used in connection with the treatment of an anaphylactic reaction, including oxygen equipment, airway maintenance equipment or other necessary equipment consistent with the prevailing standard of care as specified by the board.