(a) Notwithstanding [former] §§ 63-1-132(c) [repealed] and 63-7-123, a professional nurse, licensed pursuant to §§ 63-7-104 – 63-7-107, who is employed by a primary health care center established under § 68-1-701, that receives fifty percent (50%) or more of its family planning funds from funds distributed by the department of health, has the authority to issue, in the same manner as is currently permitted the department or local health departments under § 63-10-205:
(1) Oral contraceptives, excluding abortifacients; and(2) Drugs relating to sexually transmitted diseases.(b) A drug issued under this section shall be issued in accordance with any protocols or standards established by the department for the use of such drug.(c) No drugs as provided in this section shall be issued unless a physician has examined the patient for the condition for which such drugs are issued; provided, that this requirement does not supersede any protocol under which a nurse practitioner is rendering service to a patient pursuant to § 63-6-204 or § 63-7-123.
