Legal Status of EPT in Michigan

“…a health professional may provide expedited partner therapy if all of the following requirements are met: (a) The patient has a laboratory-confirmed or suspected clinical diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection. (b) The patient indicates that he or she has a partner with whom the patient has engaged in sexual activity within the 60-day period immediately before the diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection. (c) The patient indicates that his or her partner is unable or is unlikely to seek clinical services in a timely manner.” Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 333.5110.

“Except as otherwise authorized for expedited partner therapy in section 5110 or as provided in section 17744a or 17744b, a dispensing prescriber shall dispense prescription drugs only to his or her own patients.” Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 333.17745.

Pharmacist must provide purchaser of prescription drug a receipt which includes, “except as otherwise authorized under section 5110, 17744a, or 17744b, the name of the patient for whom the drug was prescribed.”   Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 333.17757. (Section 5110 authorizes EPT subject to various requirements)

 Pharmacist may not dispense prescription drugs, “except as otherwise authorized under section 5110, 17744a, or 17744b,” unless s/he determines that the prescription is pursuant to an existing physician/patient relationship. Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 333.17751. (Section 5110 authorizes EPT subject to various requirements)

“A prescriber who issues a written prescription for a noncontrolled legend drug . . . shall ensure that the prescription contains…(a) The full name of the patient for whom the drug is being prescribed….” Mich. Admin. Code r 338.479(b)  See Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 333.5110 (“Notwithstanding any provision of this act or rules to the contrary, if the name of the partner is not known, the health professional shall dispense or prescribe the therapy in the name of ‘expedited partner therapy.’”)

Statutory authority expressly authorizes EPT for the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, subject to various conditions as stated in the law.