Can physician assistants prescribe scheduled substances?

Physician assistants (PAs) can indeed prescribe scheduled substances, but their ability to do so comes with specific restrictions and conditions that must be adhered to. In Illinois, for example, PAs are required to work under a supervisory agreement with a physician. This agreement typically outlines the specific controlled substances that the PA is permitted to prescribe and any limitations regarding dosage or specific patient populations.

Moreover, PAs must have the appropriate training and certification to prescribe medications, including controlled substances. They also need to be registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) if prescribing controlled substances.

Because prescriptive authority for PAs varies by state and is subject to both state laws and the terms of their supervising physician's practice agreement, the correct answer highlights the nuanced understanding that PAs can prescribe scheduled medications, but only under certain stipulated conditions.