What initial information is mandatory for a written RX from an RPA?

A written prescription from a registered physician assistant (RPA) must include specific identifying information to ensure that the prescription is valid and traceable back to the appropriate medical authority. Including the name of the collaborating physician is essential as it establishes the legal framework under which the RPA is operating and provides a point of reference for accountability. This requirement demonstrates that the RPA is functioning within the scope of their collaborative agreement with the supervising physician.

In New York, the collaboration between an RPA and their supervising physician is a critical aspect of the practice, and the prescription must clearly state the collaborating physician's name to be valid. This serves to protect both the patient and the healthcare providers involved, ensuring that the prescribing authority is transparent and compliant with regulatory standards.

While the initials of the RPA and the address of the medical facility may be useful, they do not have the same level of necessity for the validity of the prescription as the name of the collaborating MD. The patient's medical history, while critical in a clinical context, is not typically required on the prescription itself; instead, it should be maintained in the patient's medical records.