Prescription Drugs For Off-label Use

The bill authorizes a physician, a physician assistant, and an advanced practice registered nurse licensed health-care professional who is authorized to prescribe drugs (prescriber) to prescribe and administer a drug approved by the federal food and drug administration (FDA) for an off-label use. if:

• The off-label use of the drug for the indication has longstanding, common use;
• There is medical evidence to support the off-label use and no known evidence contraindicating such off-label use; and
• The prescriber has provided the patient or a minor patient's parent or guardian with an informed consent form, and the patient or parent or guardian has signed the form.

The bill clarifies that:

• The prescription and administration of an FDA-approved drug for an off-label use is not, by itself, a grounds for discipline; and
• A pharmacist who fills a prescription for off-label use is not subject to discipline by the state board of pharmacy.

(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)