Who can I contact if I have questions about my order?
If you have a question about your order, you can contact stdprograms@essentialaccess.org.
How can I change my order once I have already placed it?
Email stdprograms@essentialaccess.orgwith a detailed description of changes to the previously placed order. Essential Access Health will try to accommodate order modifications as necessary and/or appropriate.
Some EPT medication expired before my clinic could use it. How should I account for expired medications?
The web-based CT/GC EPT Distribution Program order form includes fields to indicate the number of chlamydia (CT) and gonorrhea (GC) doses that have expired at the ordering site since the last order was placed. Submit the number of expired doses on the order form next time you place an order for that site. Please dispose of the expired medications properly.
How do I submit medication log data?
Aggregate site-specific data, including medication log data, must be submitted online each time medication from the Chlamydia/Gonorrhea (CT/GC) Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) Distribution Program is requested. The web-based order form contains text boxes in which to enter and submit the data electronically. Do not email/fax medication logs to Essential Access Health.
Why must a license number be provided to register for the CT/GC EPT Distribution Program?
Each time a clinic site or local health jurisdiction (LHJ) orders medication, Essential Access Health must submit the license number and a copy of the medical director or physician overseeing EPT/PDPT dispensing practices to the CT/GC EPT Distribution Program’s medication repackager. The medication repackager maintains the CT/GC EPT Distribution Program medication supply and upon Essential Access Health’s request, ships medication directly to the ordering clinic site or LHJ. A valid license number must be on file for the medication repackager to be able to ship medications to the clinic site or LHJ.
What is the 340B Drug Pricing Program and how do I enroll in it?
The 340B Drug Pricing Program requires drug manufacturers to provide outpatient medications to eligible organizations at significantly reduced prices.
Only non-profit health care organizations that have certain federal designations or receive support from specific federal programs are eligible to enroll and purchase discounted drugs through the 340B Drug Pricing Program. These include Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program grantees and specialized clinics such as STD Clinics and Title X Family Planning Clinics.
To participate in the 340B Drug Pricing Program, eligible organizations must register with the program and comply with all program requirements. Once enrolled, covered entities are assigned a 340B identification number that vendors verify before allowing an organization to purchase 340B discounted drugs for their eligible patients.
If you think your organization may be eligible for the STD 340B Drug Pricing Program, please contact std340b@cdph.ca.gov.
Will I be held liable if a partner receiving EPT has an adverse reaction to the drugs I provide?
Health care providers will not be liable in a medical malpractice action or professional disciplinary action if their use of EPT is in compliance with HSC 120582, except in cases of intentional misconduct, gross negligence, or wanton or reckless activity. (HSC 120582(d)) Pharmacists who prescribe, dispense, furnish, or otherwise render EPT, as authorized in BPC 4076(f), shall not be liable in, and shall not be subject to, a civil, criminal, or administrative action, sanction, or penalty for rendering EPT, if the use of EPT is in compliance with BPC 4076, except in cases of intentional misconduct, gross negligence, or wanton or reckless activity. (BPC 4076(g))
Will EPT contribute to antibiotic resistance at the population level?
Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that expedited partner therapy (EPT) leads to increased microbial resistance. However, EPT should only be used for individuals who are unable or unlikely to be treated within a clinic setting.
Is EPT appropriate as a first-line treatment approach?
Expedited partner therapy (EPT) is not appropriate as a first-line treatment approach. EPT is intended to benefit individuals who would not otherwise seek timely clinical care.
Is there a limit to the number of doses of EPT that can be dispensed / prescribed to a patient?
There is no limit to the number of doses of expedited partner therapy (EPT) medication a patient can receive to give to known sexual partners within the past 60 days. If the last sexual encounter was more than 60 days prior to diagnosis, EPT can be given for the most recent sexual partner.
Why is there a patient treatment requirement?
Onsite sexually transmitted infection (STI) treatment for patients, through direct onsite dispensing (including direct observed therapy (DOT)) or at an onsite pharmacy, is important for participation in the Chlamydia/Gonorrhea (CT/GC) Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) Distribution Program.
This ensures that an STI-positive patient leaves the clinic site with treatment for themselves in addition to treatment for their sex partners. At clinic sites where patients receive EPT for their partner but a prescription for their own STI treatment to fill at an offsite pharmacy, it is possible that patients will instead use the free medication from the CT/GC EPT Distribution Program for their own STI treatment, rather than pick up their prescription at an offsite pharmacy. This practice reduces the opportunity to treat the sex partners with EPT, therefore negating the intention, effectiveness and outcomes of Essential Access Health CT/GC EPT Distribution Program.
Furthermore, onsite dispensing improves treatment compliance among STI-positive patients. A data analysis of chlamydia-positive patients enrolled in Family PACT showed that one-third of patients (33%) who received a prescription for chlamydia treatment did not fill their CT prescription; non-fill rates were higher among clients aged 18 and younger. (source: Douglas et al. “Are patients filling chlamydia treatment prescriptions? Using administrative data to validate treatment in California Title X clinics.” CDC STD Prevention Conference, June 2014. Atlanta, GA.)
Providing medication to patients via DOT is considered a best-practice in STI care. If your agency or LHJ is interested in free resources to support onsite dispensing of STI treatment please contact stdprograms@essentialaccess.org.
How is EPT medication given to patients?
The preferred method is to dispense expedited partner therapy (EPT) medication directly to the patient in a pre-packaged partner pack that includes medication, informational materials (available on the Resources page) and a clinic referral.
What about partners who are pregnant?
Although expedited partner therapy (EPT) is available for pregnant partners, providers should assess whether the pregnant partner is receiving pregnancy services or prenatal care. Every effort should be made to contact the pregnant partner and ensure appropriate care and EPT should only be used as a last resort. The need of a test-of-cure (i.e., repeat testing three–four weeks after completing treatment) for chlamydia and gonorrhea during pregnancy should be emphasized. Doxycycline, the first-line treatment for chlamydia should not be used during pregnancy. Azithromycin can be used as an alternative.
Can our clinic use EPT medications to treat the patient?
Medication from the Chlamydia/Gonorrhea (CT/GC) Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) Distribution Program cannot be used to treat patients in the clinical setting.
Agencies and local health jurisdictions (LHJs) participating in the CT/GC EPT Distribution Program may qualify for the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program, which allows eligible health care organizations/covered entities to purchase sexually transmitted infection (STI) treatment and other medications for their STI patients at a significantly discounted rate. (Scroll up to the question "What is the 340B Drug Pricing Program and how do I enroll in it?" to learn more.)
LHJs using the medication for other methods of expedited partner treatment (EPT), such as field-delivered treatment (FDT), are permitted to provide the medication to the patient as appropriate.
Who should not be given EPT medication?
Expedited partner therapy (EPT) is not recommended for the treatment of syphilis or for patients who are co-infected with a sexually transmitted infections (STI) that is not treatable by EPT medications. Partners with known severe allergies to antibiotics should not be given EPT.
EPT is not appropriate for cases of suspected child abuse, sexual assault, intimate partner abuse, or situations in which the patient’s safety is in question.
Caution should be exercised when providing EPT for gonorrhea to partners who have a known oral exposure. If provided in this circumstance, the need for a gonorrhea test-of-cure two weeks after treatment should be emphasized. Using EPT may also increase the risk of missing a concurrent STI or HIV diagnosis.
Is EPT safe?
The 2012 California Patient-Delivered Partner Therapy (PDPT) Guidelines cite several research studies, including randomized clinical trials, that have demonstrated that expedited partner treatment (EPT) is safe. Such treatment is as effective as - or more effective than - other partner management strategies in facilitating partner notification and reducing recurrent infection.
Who are the most appropriate patients for EPT?
The Chlamydia/Gonorrhea (CT/GC) Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) Distribution Program is for sex partners of patients diagnosed with CT and/or GC who are uninsured/underinsured, or would otherwise be unable or unlikely to seek timely care.
As EPT for GC includes medications that may not be as effective in treating pharyngeal infection, caution should be exercised if providing EPT for gonorrhea to patients who have indicated oral exposure risk. If provided in this circumstance, the need for a gonorrhea test-of-cure two weeks after treatment should be emphasized. EPT may increase the risk of missing a concurrent STI or HIV diagnosis, and therefore should not be used as a first-line strategy.
Is EPT legal in California?
Yes, expedited partner therapy (EPT) is legal.
Since 2001, California law has allowed medical providers the option of using EPT for treatment of sex partners of patients diagnosed with chlamydia. In 2007, California legislation was expanded to permit the use of EPT for gonorrhea and trichomoniasis as well. EPT is allowed through California Health and Safety Code §120582.
Senate Bill (SB) 306 (Pan, Chapter 486, Statutes of 2021) became law effective January 1, 2022. SB 306 strengthens state law allowing expedited partner therapy (EPT) by naming the practice, referencing U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, and providing additional guidelines and liability protections for prescribers and pharmacists