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    PROPOSAL
    Maryland Register
    Issue Date:  October 27, 2017
    Volume 44• Issue 26 • Pages 1221—1222
     
    Title 10
    MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
    Subtitle 06 DISEASES
    10.06.07 Sexually Transmitted Infections — Expedited Partner Therapy for Chlamydia [and], Gonorrhea, and Trichomoniasis
    Authority: Health-General Article, §§2-104(b), 18-102, 18-201, 18-202, and 18-214.1, Annotated Code of Maryland
    Notice of Proposed Action
    [17-298-P]
                    The Secretary of Health proposes to amend Regulations .01, .02, .05, and .06 and adopt new Regulation .04-1 under COMAR 10.06.07 Sexually Transmitted Infections — Expedited Partner Therapy for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Trichomoniasis.
    Statement of Purpose
    The purpose of this action is to add trichomoniasis to the diseases covered under expedited partner therapy and to clarify that pharmacists are authorized to dispense expedited partner therapy per Ch. 822 (SB 110), Acts of 2017, Public Health — Expedited Partner Therapy — Trichomoniasis and Pharmacist Dispensing.
    Comparison to Federal Standards
    There is no corresponding federal standard to this proposed action.
    Estimate of Economic Impact
    I. Summary of Economic Impact. This proposal may have a minimal economic impact on Maryland Medicaid if individuals enrolled in Maryland Medicaid are prescribed and dispensed expedited partner therapy for trichomoniasis and Maryland Medicaid pays for those prescriptions.
     
     
    Revenue (R+/R-)
     
    II. Types of Economic Impact.
    Expenditure (E+/E-)
    Magnitude
     

     
    A. On issuing agency:
    (E+)
    Indeterminate
    B. On other State agencies:
    NONE
    C. On local governments:
    NONE
     
     
    Benefit (+)
    Cost (-)
    Magnitude
     

     
    D. On regulated industries or trade groups:
    NONE
    E. On other industries or trade groups:
    NONE
    F. Direct and indirect effects on public:
    NONE
    III. Assumptions. (Identified by Impact Letter and Number from Section II.)
    A. Because the number of additional prescriptions for expedited partner therapy for trichomoniasis prescribed, dispensed, and paid for by Maryland Medicaid is likely be low, the impact on Maryland Medicaid is assumed to be minimal. The increase in the number of prescriptions that will be dispensed for expedited partner therapy is unknown. Therefore, the exact impact is indeterminate.
    Economic Impact on Small Businesses
    The proposed action has minimal or no economic impact on small businesses.
    Impact on Individuals with Disabilities
    The proposed action has no impact on individuals with disabilities.
    Opportunity for Public Comment
    Comments may be sent to Michele Phinney, Director, Office of Regulation and Policy Coordination, Maryland Department of Health, 201 West Preston Street, Room 512, Baltimore, MD 21201, or call 410-767-6499 (TTY 800-735-2258), or email to mdh.regs@maryland.gov, or fax to 410-767-6483. Comments will be accepted through January 22, 2018. A public hearing has not been scheduled.
    .01 Purpose and Scope.
    A. The purpose of expedited partner therapy in Maryland is to:
    (1) Provide antibiotic therapy to any partner of a patient diagnosed with chlamydia [or], gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis without a personal physical assessment of the partner, and without having a previous provider-patient relationship with the partner;
    (2) Contain and stop the further spread of chlamydia [and], gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis; and
    (3) (text unchanged)
    B. (text unchanged)
    .02 Definitions.
    A. (text unchanged)
    B. Terms Defined.
    (1) “Antibiotic therapy” means the oral antibiotic treatment regimens [currently]:
    (a) Currently recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the treatment of chlamydia and gonorrhea through expedited partner therapy[.]; and
    (b) For the treatment of trichomoniasis through expedited partner therapy:
    (i) In accordance with Regulation .05A of this chapter; and
    (ii) As authorized by Health-General Article, §18-214.1, Annotated Code of Maryland.
    (2) (text unchanged)
    (3) “Expedited partner therapy (EPT)” means the prescribing or dispensing of antibiotic therapy to any partner of a patient diagnosed with chlamydia [or], gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis by certain health care providers without making a personal physical assessment of the partner, and without having a previous provider-patient relationship with the partner, in order to contain and stop the further spread of the infection and reduce the likelihood of reinfection in the diagnosed patient.
    (4)—(5) (text unchanged)
    .04-1 Pharmacists Authorized to Dispense EPT.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a pharmacist licensed under Health Occupations Article, Title 12, Annotated Code of Maryland, may dispense antibiotic therapy for EPT prescribed in accordance with Regulation .04 of this chapter.
    .05 Prescribing and Dispensing EPT Medications.
    A. Antibiotic therapy prescribed or dispensed for EPT shall be in accordance with treatment recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
    B. Prescribing.
    (1) A separate prescription shall be issued for each partner[;].
    (2) The designation “EPT” or “Expedited Partner Therapy” shall be included on the face of the prescription for each prescription issued[;].
    (3) If the partner’s name is known, the prescription shall be issued in the partner’s name[;].
    (4) If the partner’s name is unknown, the written designation “EPT” or “expedited partner therapy” shall be sufficient for the pharmacist to fill the prescription[; and].
    (5) (text unchanged)
    C. (text unchanged)
    .06 Counseling and Educational Information Requirements.
    A.—B. (text unchanged)
    C. The educational information, that is available or comparable to that available on the Department’s website, shall include:
    (1) (text unchanged)
    (2) Information about chlamydia [and], gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis;
    (3)—(5) (text unchanged)
    DENNIS SCHRADER
    Secretary of Health