1. (1) A bridge year graduate physician may prescribe a legend drug to a patient subject to both of the following conditions being met:

   1. (a) The drug type, dosage, quantity prescribed, and number of refills are authorized in the job description which is signed by the supervising physician by whom the bridge year graduate physician is currently being supervised based upon approval by the board.
   2. (b) The drug is included in the formulary approved by the Board for governing the prescription practices of bridge year graduate physicians.
2. (2) The supervising physician and the bridge year graduate physician shall adhere to and follow all requirements and procedures stated in written guidelines established by the Board to govern the prescribing practices of bridge year graduate physicians.

3. (3) A bridge year graduate physician who is issued a permit to practice with prescriptive privileges shall not engage in prescribing for:

   1. (a) Self.
   2. (b) Immediate family members.
   3. (c) Any of his or her supervising or covering physician(s).
4. (4) A bridge year graduate physician may not initiate a call-in prescription in the name of the supervising physician for any drug, whether legend or controlled substance, which the bridge year graduate physician is not authorized to prescribe under the job description signed by his or her supervising physician and approved under this Chapter, unless the drug is specifically ordered for the patient by the supervising physician, either in writing or by a verbal order which has been reduced to writing and signed by the supervising physician within seven (7) working days of the date of the prescription.
5. (5) For any drug which the bridge year graduate physician is authorized to prescribe, a written prescription signed by the bridge year graduate physician and entered into the patient's chart may be called into a pharmacy.
6. (6) Whenever a bridge year graduate physician calls in a prescription to a pharmacy, the bridge year graduate physician shall identify his or her supervising physician.
7. (7) A bridge year graduate physician may administer any legend drug which the bridge year graduate physician is authorized to prescribe.

8. (8) When prescribing legend drugs, a bridge year graduate physician shall use a prescription form which includes all of the following:

   1. (a) The name, medical practice site address and telephone number of the physician supervising the bridge year graduate physician;
   2. (b) The medical practice site address and telephone number of the bridge year graduate physician, if different from the address of the supervising physician;
   3. (c) The bridge year graduate physician’s permit number assigned by the Board;
   4. (d) The words "Product Selection Permitted" printed on one side of the prescription form directly underneath a signature line; and
   5. (e) The words "Dispense as Written" printed on one side of the prescription form directly underneath a signature line.
9. (9) For inpatients and nursing home patients, a bridge year graduate physician may enter a verbal order from the supervising physician for controlled substances or other medications which the bridge year graduate physician is not authorized to prescribe, provided that the order is co-signed by the supervising physician in accordance with established guidelines and institutional policies.

Author: Alabama Board of Medical Examiners

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-24-75.2 and Act No. 23-233.

History: New Rule: Published May 31, 2024; effective July 15, 2024.