4731-11-08   Utilizing controlled substances for self and family members.

(A) Accepted and prevailing standards of care presuppose a professional relationship between a patient and physician when the physician is utilizing controlled substances.  By definition, a physician may never have such a relationship with himself or herself.  Thus, a physician may not self-prescribe or self-administer controlled substances.  This paragraph does not prohibit a physician from obtaining a schedule five controlled substance for personal use in conformance with state and federal laws, in the same manner that a non-physician may obtain a schedule five controlled substance.

(b) Accepted and prevailing standards of care require that a physician maintain detached professional judgment when utilizing controlled substances in the treatment of family members.  A physician shall utilize controlled substances when treating a family member only in an emergency situation which shall be documented in the patient’s record.

(C) For purposes of this rule, “family member” means a spouse, parent, child, sibling or other individual in relation to whom a physician’s personal or emotional involvement may render that physician unable to exercise detached professional judgment in reaching diagnostic or therapeutic decisions.

Effective:  March 15, 2001