Statement in Support of Removing the Requirement for a Collaborating Physician’s Name on Controlled Substance Prescriptions

I am a Physician Assistant with 10 years of experience in both emergency medicine and primary care, and I have seen firsthand the delays and barriers caused by Virginia’s outdated requirement for a collaborating physician’s name to be included on controlled substance prescriptions. This antiquated rule leads to unnecessary pharmacy call-backs, confusion for patients, and delays in accessing essential medications.

Nurse Practitioners in Virginia are not subject to this requirement, yet PAs function similarly as advanced practice providers. This discrepancy places an undue burden on PAs and creates unnecessary hurdles for patients who are already facing long wait times and increased healthcare costs due to provider shortages.

As a PA serving my hometown community, I witness daily the impact of these regulatory barriers. Removing this outdated requirement will allow PAs to practice more efficiently, ensuring patients receive the care they need without unnecessary delays. I urge the state to modernize its regulations, eliminate unnecessary restrictions, and empower PAs to help address Virginia’s healthcare access shortage.