2008/2009 LIAISON REPORT
Submitted by Kitty Martin, PA-C
PENNSYVANIA OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (POMA):
After many years of working and waiting, we have finally achieved prescriptive privileges under Osteopathic Physician supervision. This is a major achievement, not only for Pennsylvania physician assistants, but for all PA’s in the country. We are the last PA’s in the U.S. to get prescriptive privileges.I’d like to thank all of you for your patience during this tedious process.
Do not begin to prescribe until your supervising physician completes the Written Agreement-Prescriptive Authority form and you have received an approval letter from the Osteopathic Board. The form is posted on the Board’s website at www.dos.state.pa.us/ost. Click on ”Licensure information” and then “Board forms.” This must be downloaded and printed for completion and mailing with original signatures. There is no additional fee if you already have an approved work agreement with an osteopathic physician. If you have a new position with a DO, you must complete the entire licensure packet along with the prescriptive authority form. Fees are listed on the website noted above.
These new regulations include Schedule II through V drugs. If you will be prescribing these medications, please check “YES” even if you do not have a DEA number yet. Once you receive approval from the board for your prescriptive privileges, you cannot prescribe Scheduled drugs until you apply for and obtain a DEA #. The DEA will check with the Osteopathic Board to make sure that your supervising physician checked “yes” on your agreement regarding Scheduled drugs before they will issue a DEA number. PLEASE NOTE: There are some restrictions on Schedule II drugs that are slightly different than the allopathic (M.D.) version of the regulations. Please familiarize yourself with these regulations by obtaining a copy from the osteopathic board or on our website at www.pspa.net. If you are supervised by a D.O, please make sure that your supervising physician knows what the restrictions are so you are not mistakenly asked to do something that is outside the law.
A big THANK YOU goes to Mark and Susan DeSantis, Greg Jaques, John Cavanaugh and Linda Sekhon for all your hard work on these regulations. Also to the Public Relations and Education Committee (PR&E) for your hard work on Doctor’s Perspective programs…. It has only just begun! And thanks to all of our members who wrote letters in support of these regulations.
So what’s next?? Will we rest on our laurels?? NO! Now the fun begins! We will be educating DO’s and PA’s and anyone in charge of hiring PA’s about these new regulations. We believe this will open up new employment opportunities for PA’s in Pennsylvania now that we can prescribe under D.O supervision.
PLEASE USE THESE PRIVILEGES WISELY!!!!!