HB 688 Summary

• Authorizes certified registered nurse practitioners (CRNPs) and certified nurse midwives (CNMs) to prescribe controlled substances in Schedules III to V of the Alabama Uniform Controlled Substances Act, expanding their prescribing authority beyond legend drugs.

• Requires CRNPs and CNMs to be engaged in collaborative practice with an Alabama physician and operate under written protocols approved by both the collaborating physician and regulatory boards.

• Mandates that prescribed controlled substances must be authorized in the approved protocol and included on a formulary recommended by the joint committee and adopted by the State Board of Medical Examiners and Board of Nursing.

• Prohibits CRNPs and CNMs from initiating call-in prescriptions in a physician's name unless the drug was specifically ordered by the physician in writing or by verbal order reduced to writing and signed by the physician.

• Makes the Board of Medical Examiners the certifying board for issuance of controlled substances registration certificates and grants authority to promulgate rules and set reasonable fees for administration of these prescribing provisions.

• Effective date: First day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.