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AJPH First Look, published online ahead of print Jan 2, 2008
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James G. Hodge
Amy Pulver
Matthew Hogben
Dhrubajyoti Bhattacharya
Erin Fuse Brown
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©
American Journal of Public Health, 10.2105/AJPH.2007.113381

Government, Politics, and Law

Expedited Partner Therapy for Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Assessing the Legal Environment

James G. Hodge 1*, Amy Pulver 2, Matthew Hogben 2, Dhrubajyoti Bhattacharya 1, Erin Fuse Brown 1

1 Center for Law and the Public's Health
2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: jhodge{at}jhsph.edu.


  Abstract

An emerging alternative to traditional partner management for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is expedited partner therapy (EPT), which involves the delivery of medications or prescriptions to STD patients for their partners without the clinical assessment of the partners.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently recommended EPT nationally in limited circumstances; however, its implementation may raise legal concerns. We analyzed laws relevant to the distribution of medications to persons with whom clinicians have not personally treated or established a relationship.

We determined that three fourths of states or territories either expressly permit EPT or do not expressly prohibit the practice. We recommend (1) expressly endorsing EPT through laws, (2) creating exceptions to existing prescription requirements, (3) increasing professional board or association support for EPT, and (4) supporting third-party payments for partners’ medications.

Key Words: Health Law, Health Policy, Health Professionals




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