ARC 4768C

ARC 4768C

PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE DIVISION[645]

Notice of Intended Action

Proposing rule making related to electronic transmission of prescriptions

and providing an opportunity for public comment

The Board of Physician Assistants hereby proposes to amend Chapter 327, "Practice of Physician Assistants," Iowa Administrative Code.

Legal Authority for Rule Making

This rule making is proposed under the authority provided in Iowa Code section 147.76.

State or Federal Law Implemented

This rule making implements, in whole or in part, Iowa Code sections 124.308 and 155A.27.

Purpose and Summary

Pursuant to Iowa Code sections 124.308 and 155A.27, beginning January 1, 2020, every prescription issued for a prescription drug shall be transmitted electronically as an electronic prescription to a pharmacy or a pharmacy's agent unless exempted by statute. A practitioner who violates this mandate is subject to an administrative penalty of $250 per violation, up to a maximum of $5,000 per calendar year. The administrative penalty is assessed by the practitioner's respective licensing board. Physician assistants in Iowa are prescribers subject to this electronic prescription mandate, and thus the Board may begin assessing administrative penalties against its licensees for violations of the electronic prescription mandate beginning January 1, 2020. This proposed rule making incorporates the electronic prescription mandate within the Board's existing rules governing prescription requirements.

Fiscal Impact

This rule making has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa.

Jobs Impact

After analysis and review of this rule making, no impact on jobs has been found.

Waivers

A waiver provision is not included in this rule making because all administrative rules of the professional licensure boards in the Professional Licensure Division are subject to the waiver provisions accorded under 645—Chapter 18.

Public Comment

Any interested person may submit written comments concerning this proposed rule making. Written comments in response to this rule making must be received by the Board no later than 4:30 p.m.on December 10, 2019. Comments should be directed to:

Public Hearing

A public hearing at which persons may present their views orally or in writing will be held as follows:

Persons who wish to make oral comments at the public hearing may be asked to state their names for the record and to confine their remarks to the subject of this proposed rule making. In an effort to ensure accuracy in memorializing a person's comments, a person may provide written comments in addition to or in lieu of oral comments at the hearing.

Any persons who intend to attend the public hearing and have special requirements, such as those related to hearing or mobility impairments, should contact the Board and advise of specific needs.

Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee

The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rule making by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rule making at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee's meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).

The following rule-making action is proposed:

Adopt the following new subrule 327.6(4):

327.6(4) Beginning January 1, 2020, every prescription issued for a prescription drug shall be transmitted electronically unless exempted pursuant to Iowa Code section 124.308 or 155A.27. Beginning January 1, 2020, a licensee who fails to comply with the electronic prescription mandate may be subject to a nondisciplinary administrative penalty of $250 per violation, up to a maximum of $5,000 per calendar year.