Lexington, KY., February 10, 2017 – As the only state currently not allowing patients to take advantage of PAs (physician assistants) training in prescribing medications the Kentucky Academy of Physician Assistants (KAPA) is actively supporting Senate Bill 55, which will allow PAs to prescribe Schedule II-V medications.

Frank Romanelli, Pharm.D., MPH, FAPhA, BCPS, AAHIVP, Professor of Pharmacy and Associate Dean at the University of Kentucky applauded the proposed measure citing the fact that, “PA students receive extensive clinical training on how to diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries by knowledgably administering controlled medications.”

As licensed medical providers, PAs are trained at the graduate level in programs modeled after medical school curriculums, which include classroom study and more than 1,700 hours of clinical rotations. The proposed legislation would maximize the effectiveness and quality of patient care provided by PAs while improving access and reducing the “brain drain” effect that has forced many PAs to take jobs out of state.

Under SB55, a collaborating physician and a PA would be required to apply for approval through the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure and the PA would also register with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Kentucky All Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting system.