Profession

Arizona board adopts Internet prescribing policy

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Jan. 22, 2007

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The Arizona Medical Board last month approved a policy to educate physicians about the state law on Internet prescribing, something the board believes physicians might be unaware of when they agree to work for Internet sites.

In the policy statement, the board said online questionnaires do not meet the standard of care for the safe practice of medicine that requires an established doctor-patient relationship prior to prescribing. Physicians establish patient relationships by gathering an accurate and thorough medical history and conducting a physical examination, the board said.

The policy also explains the standard of care required when prescribing drugs or medical devices; recognizes the law regarding prescribing; describes Internet prescribing and the problems associated with it; and distinguishes Internet prescribing from e-prescribing and telemedicine.

The board has disciplined 14 doctors since 1999 for prescribing medication over the Internet without first creating a physician-patient relationship.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/01/22/prbf0122.htm.

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