Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the Board of Medicine intends to consider amending 18VAC85-50, Regulations Governing the Practice of Physician Assistants. The purpose of the proposed action is to simplify and clarify the definitions and usage of various terms for supervision for more consistency with the Code of Virginia and with the actual practice of physician assistants and supervising physicians. Further, the action will add a provision on pharmacotherapy for weight loss to clarify that a physician assistant can conduct the physical examination, review tests, and prescribe drugs if so authorized in a practice agreement with a supervising physician.

The agency intends to hold a public hearing on the proposed action after publication in the Virginia Register.

Statutory Authority: § 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Comment Deadline: January 24, 2018.

Agency Contact: William L. Harp, M.D., Executive Director, Board of Medicine, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-4558, FAX (804) 527-4429, or email william.harp@dhp.virginia.gov.