Can clinicians prescribe antiviral medications for individuals that they may not have a provider-patient relationship with, and/or have not been examined and/or consulted by the provider?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides specific recommendations for clinicians on administering either antiviral chemoprophylaxis to asymptomatic high risk close contacts of a confirmed, probable or suspect case of H1N1 flu or administering early antiviral treatment, should signs and symptoms of flu develop in these close contacts. For details, see http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/recommendations.htm. Clinicians must still follow all applicable Florida Statutes, Florida Administrative Code, licensure and scope of practice requirements for issuing such prescriptions.
