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Dr. Allan Chamberlain, representing
the West Virginia State Medical Association, addressed West Virginia lawmakers
on the merits of expedited partner therapy (EPT) that treats partners of
patients with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) without examining the
partners.
Chamberlain argued that EPT can stop
transmission of the infection and save society medical costs. The doctor was
speaking before the Joint Committee on Health’s revival of SB647. Chamberlain
explained that the incidence of chlamydia rose 55 percent in Kanawha County—but
fewer than half of the patients were treated—and that one in six chlamydia
patients was re-infected by an untreated partner. He acknowledged that writing
the prescription for a patient that had not been examined is a breach of the
normal standard of care, but this is an exception and one that is in the public
interest.
Committee counsel Jeff Johnson said
that the state’s Department of Health and Human Resources must develop outreach
materials and that SB647 also provided limited liability for doctors providing
services except in “gross negligence or willful or wanton disregard.” Delegate
Margaret Staggers, D-Fayette, an emergency room physician, was concerned that
some physicians might not have time to provide the required material to
patients. She commented that the government requirements would take more time
rather than simply allowing treatment. She noted that instead of sending the
patient to a health department or a website, the bill would require direct
dissemination of materials. Staggers also admitted to practicing a type of EPT
for years.
Chamberlain emphasized the problem
of chlamydia infection, which can lead to many other health issues, including
making it easier for the infected person to acquire HIV. He noted that under
the proposed legislation, the medical community can reach far more of those who
are infected. He stated that without referral of partners, only about 12
percent show up for treatment. Chamberlain commented that the medical community
did not want to return to the old practice of sending the police to track down
people with STDs. He considered the track record of states using EPT and noted
that there was no record of a lawsuit against a medical practitioner for
prescribing to a sexual partner. Chamberlain stated that the old strategy of
having persons with STDs come in and treating them when they come in would be
wonderful—except they don’t come in so they are not treated, and they continue
to infect others.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
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