Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Utah Code Title 58. Occupations and Professions § 58-1-501.3. Health professional prescribing exceptions for expedited partner therapy for sexually transmitted diseases

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(1) For purposes of this section:

(a) “Drug to treat a sexually transmitted disease” means a drug:

(i) as defined in Section 58-17b-102; and

(ii) that is:

(A) an antibiotic; and

(B) prescribed in accordance with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for patient delivered expedited partner therapy in the management of sexually transmitted disease.

(b) “Partner” means a person:

(i) with whom a practitioner does not have a bonafide practitioner-patient relationship; and

(ii) who is identified as, or claims to be a sexual partner of a patient.

(c) “Patient” means a person who:

(i) has a sexually transmitted disease; and

(ii) has a bonafide practitioner-patient relationship with a practitioner.

(d) “Sexually transmitted disease” means:

(i) gonorrhea; or

(ii) chlamydia.

(2) This section does not require a practitioner or a licensee under this chapter to prescribe or dispense a drug to treat a sexually transmitted disease for patient delivered expedited partner therapy. A practitioner's or licensee's decision to use expedited partner therapy as allowed by this section is voluntary.

(3) Notwithstanding Sections 58-1-501, 58-17b-501, and 58-17b-502, it is not unlawful conduct or unprofessional conduct, and it does not violate the provisions of this chapter if:

(a) a practitioner, in accordance with this Subsection (3):

(i) issues a prescription for a drug to treat a sexually transmitted disease to a partner by:

(A) writing “partner of (patient name)” on the prescription order; and

(B) giving the partner's prescription to the patient for subsequent use by the partner; or

(ii) notwithstanding Section 58-17b-610, dispenses a drug sample to treat a sexually transmitted disease to the patient for the subsequent use of the partner; or

(b) a pharmacist, in accordance with this Subsection (3), dispenses a prescription drug for the treatment of a sexually transmitted disease to:

(i) a person who:

(A) claims to be a partner; and

(B) presents a prescription for the drug to the pharmacist which is written for the unnamed partner of a named patient;

(ii) the patient for the subsequent use by the unnamed partner; or

(iii) an agent of the patient or partner.

(4)(a) For purposes of Subsection (3), and notwithstanding Section 58-17b-602:

(i) the partner does not have to be identified on the prescription order by information that would disclose the identity of the partner; and

(ii) when dispensing a drug to treat a sexually transmitted disease directly to the partner, the patient's identifying information may, but does not need to, be included on the partner's drug label.

(b) Information provided by a pharmacist to a patient or the patient's agent for subsequent use by a partner satisfies the requirements of patient counseling for both the patient and the partner under Section 58-17b-613.

(5)(a) The Legislature finds that the prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases in the state is a compelling public health issue.

(b) A practitioner or licensee under this chapter is not liable for a medical malpractice action if the use of expedited partner therapy is in compliance with this section, except for those acts which are grossly negligent or willful and wanton.

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Utah Code Title 58. Occupations and Professions § 58-1-501.3. Health professional prescribing exceptions for expedited partner therapy for sexually transmitted diseases - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ut/title-58-occupations-and-professions/ut-code-sect-58-1-501-3/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard