NP Rx

Specialties NP

Published

Can California NP prescribe non narcotic meds for family/friends?

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Highly suggest no. It's a conflict of interest. If there is any kind of reaction/side effect it's your license on the line if you didn't see them in a clinic setting and there is no official clinical assessment. Besides you don't want your friends and family getting used to you prescribing them anything. I have had many family members ask me I have always said no. I'm sure there are exceptions to the rule such as in case of emergency which means there is no access to care within like 100 miles or something like that and I'm not talking about the person not having insurance or affording care. . It just means that the nearest clinic is like a 100 miles away or something. I don't think this rule just goes to CA NPs... I think this goes for any NP for any state.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Its never every a good practice to do so. At least in IL, I personally know of a PA that did so (antibiotic for ear infection while they were out of town) and she got an official reprimand and fined.

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I haven't done it although I think it's reasonably common practice. I'm newly-licensed so I'm a little more hesitant. My mom keeps asking me for an Rx of anything just so she can have a "real" Rx on a "real" Rx pad from me as a souvenir. I think for Xmas I'll write her Haldol PRN but put an expiration date of 12/24 so that she can't somehow turn it in by accident. We both worked in a psych hospital so it would be kind of a funny joke.

The bigger issue I'm running into is what to do when people I know show up as actual patients in my clinic. Seems kind of unrealistic to deny them a refill of something that they've been getting from my clinic (primary care) for a while. I live in a small town with very few offices so a lot of my friends want to start going to my clinic since they need a primary and the choices are few and far between here.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

At least in IL this is not done unless you want to face disciplinary action.

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its common practice only if you want to get your licensed revoked or get disciplinary action

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I haven't done it although I think it's reasonably common practice. I'm newly-licensed so I'm a little more hesitant. My mom keeps asking me for an Rx of anything just so she can have a "real" Rx on a "real" Rx pad from me as a souvenir. I think for Xmas I'll write her Haldol PRN but put an expiration date of 12/24 so that she can't somehow turn it in by accident. We both worked in a psych hospital so it would be kind of a funny joke.

The bigger issue I'm running into is what to do when people I know show up as actual patients in my clinic. Seems kind of unrealistic to deny them a refill of something that they've been getting from my clinic (primary care) for a while. I live in a small town with very few offices so a lot of my friends want to start going to my clinic since they need a primary and the choices are few and far between here.

its only common practice if you want your licensed revoked or get disciplinary action on your record

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

There is nothing illegal about it, it is just not good practice to script for your family.

Friends is probably more of a gray area and you best make sure if you do write a script that you have your own malpractice up to date and do so carefully.

Most providers have a slew of colleagues to help if needed.

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