2014 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
TITLE 40 - Public Health and Safety
RS 40:1060 - Use of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)

PART XV. DIMETHYL SULFOXIDE (DMSO)

§1060. Use of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)

A. No hospital or health facility shall interfere with the physician/patient relationship by restricting or forbidding the use of dimethyl sulfoxide, hereinafter referred to as "DMSO", when prescribed or administered by licensed physicians and requested by a patient unless a formal finding has been made by the state board of health that the substance as prescribed or administered by the physician is harmful. Furthermore, no hospital or health facility shall remove the staff privileges of a physician solely because said physician prescribed or administered DMSO to a patient under the conditions set forth in this Part.

B. No licensed physician in this state shall be subject to disciplinary action by the state board of medical examiners and aseopathic examiners for prescribing or administering DMSO to a patient under his care who has requested the substance unless the state boards have made a formal finding that the substance is harmful.

C. The patient, upon request for the administration of DMSO and after being fully informed as to alternative methods of treatment, shall sign a written statement releasing the physician and, when applicable, the hospital or health facility from any liability from damages which may arise from the use of DMSO.

Added by Acts 1980, No. 635, §1.