SECTION 193.6. Delegation of Prescribing and Ordering Drugs and Devices

(a) Pursuant to §157.0511 of the Act, a physician's authority to delegate the prescribing or ordering of a drug or device is limited to:

(1) nonprescription drugs;

(2) dangerous drugs; and

(3) controlled substances to the extent provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this section.

(b) A physician may delegate the prescribing or ordering of a controlled substance only if:

(1) the prescription is for a controlled substance listed in Schedule III, IV, or V as established by the commissioner of the Department of State Health Services under Chapter 481 of the Texas Health and Safety Code;

(2) the prescription, including a refill of the prescription, is for a period not to exceed 90 days;

(3) with regard to the refill of a prescription, the refill is authorized after consultation with the delegating physician and the consultation is noted in the patient's chart; and

(4) with regard to a prescription for a child less than two years of age, the prescription is made after consultation with the delegating physician and the consultation is noted in the patient's chart.

(c) A physician may delegate the prescribing or ordering of a controlled substance listed in Schedule II as established by the commissioner of the Department of State Health Services under Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code, only:

(1) in a hospital facility-based practice under §157.054 of the Act, in accordance with policies approved by the hospital's medical staff or a committee of the hospital's medical staff as provided by the hospital bylaws to ensure patient safety, and as part of the care provided to a patient who:

(A) has been admitted to the hospital for an intended length of stay of 24 hours or greater; or

(B) is receiving services in the emergency department of the hospital; or

(2) as part of the plan of care for the treatment of person who has executed a written certification of a terminal illness, has elected to receive hospice care, and is receiving hospice treatment from a qualified hospice provider.

Source Note: The provisions of this §193.6 adopted to be effective November 7, 2013, 38 TexReg 7711