As a practicing PA in Virginia, I fully support removal of this language (that the collaborating physician’s name be on prescriptions for scheduled 2-5 medications) for the following reasons:

• PAs are licensed, credentialed and have their individual DEA license to prescribe controlled substances
• The Commonwealth of Virginia monitors all prescriptions for controlled substances.
• PAs have extensive training in pharmacology and substance use disorder
• Some ERMs still do not have the ability of including this information and attempts to comply are cost prohibitive so the burden lies with an already over taxed provider
• Attempting to add this information to electronic prescriptions causes delay in patients receiving prescriptions in a timely manner as pharmacists, front desk staff, providers make several phone calls to comply, causing further barriers to patient access
• PAs may have several rotating collaborating physicians that rotate through different clinics.  Attempting to find the specific physician also causes further delay in patient care.
• This language adds no additional public protection or patient safety.

I support removal of this language for the benefit of patients.