May 10, 2016
2016 DOHMH ADVISORY # 10:
Expedited Partner Therapy is an Exception to the Electronic Prescribing Mandate
The New York State Commissioner of Health has waived the electronic prescribing mandate in situations requiring the use expedited partner therapy (EPT) for chlamydia. Providers can continue to use paper prescriptions for the treatment of sex partner(s) of patients infected with Chlamydia trachomatis until March 26, 2017.
EPT is the practice of providing a chlamydia-infected patient with medication or prescription to treat his or her sex partner(s) without first examining those partners. When EPT is provided in the form of a prescription, it is assumed the patient will deliver this prescription to his or her partner(s) who then fill it at a pharmacy. The New York State Commissioner acknowledges the difficulty in practicing EPT electronically and has allowed for an exception from the electronic prescribing mandate for its practice.
Guidance on how to write EPT prescriptions can be found at https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/std/ept-hcp-pharmacists-brochure.pdf
The New York State Commissioner of Health’s letter can be found at https://www.health.ny.gov/professionals/narcotic/electronic_prescribing/docs/2016-03-16_blanket_waiver_letter.pdf
Download a PDF version of this release from the NYC DOHMH by clicking here.
