WSR 14-11-057

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed May 16, 2014, 11:53 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-817-360 Prescribing, dispensing or distributing drugs, consider modifying the term "dental-related condition" to be consistent with the definition of practice of dentistry in RCW 18.32.020.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.32.0365.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: RCW 18.32.685 authorizes a pharmacist to fill prescriptions of legally licensed dentists of this state for any drug necessary in the practice of dentistry. WAC 246-817-360 currently allows for dentists to prescribe for dental related conditions. Stakeholders view the current rule as more restrictive than the statute. A rule modification may bring the rule language more in line with the statute and remedy inconsistent interpretation of the rule among stakeholders.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Department of Health, Dental Quality Assurance Commission, Jennifer Santiago, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 236-4893, jennifer.santiago@doh.wa.gov. Interested stakeholders may sign up for the commission's listserv at http://listserv.wa.gov/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=dental-qac&A=1. All rule-making notices will be e-mailed to the commission's interested parties list (listserv) and appropriate state associations. Rule drafting will take place in open public meetings where comments will be accepted verbally and in writing.

May 16, 2014

Trina Castle

Executive Director