192.727. DMSO--definition--use for treatment of arthritis--authorized--no liability for persons prescribing, administering, dispensing, when--label requirements.

DMSO--definition--use for treatment of arthritis--authorized--noliability for persons prescribing, administering, dispensing,when--label requirements.

192.727. 1. The chemical substance DMSO may bemanufactured, processed, distributed, sold, possessed, and usedin the state of Missouri for the treatment and control ofarthritis consistent with the objectives of the arthritis programestablished pursuant to sections 192.700 to 192.727.

2. As used in this section, the term "DMSO" means a productwhose major component or ingredient is the chemical dimethylsulfoxide or derivatives or compounds of dimethyl sulfoxide.

3. No physician licensed under the provisions of chapter334, RSMo, may be subject to disciplinary action by the Missouristate board of registration for the healing arts for prescribingor administering DMSO to a patient suffering from or beingtreated for arthritis under his care, provided the prescriptionand administration of DMSO is carried out according to acceptablestandards of medical practice.

4. No nurse licensed under the provisions of chapter 335,RSMo, who is under the supervision and direction of a licensedphysician may be subjected to disciplinary action by the Missouristate board of nursing for administering DMSO to a patientsuffering from or being treated for arthritis under properorders, provided the administration of DMSO is carried outaccording to acceptable standards of medical practice.

5. No pharmacist licensed under the provisions of chapter338, RSMo, may be subjected to disciplinary action by theMissouri board of pharmacy for selling or dispensing DMSOpursuant to a proper prescription to a person suffering from orbeing treated for arthritis, provided the selling or dispensingis carried out according to acceptable standards of professionalpractice.

6. No hospital or other health care facility shallinterfere with the physician-patient relationship by restrictingor forbidding the use of DMSO when prescribed or administered bya licensed physician or administered by a licensed nurse underthe supervision and direction of a licensed physician to a personsuffering from or being treated for arthritis.

7. The prescription, administration, and dispensing of DMSOto a person suffering from or being treated for arthritis whencarried out according to acceptable standards of professionalpractice shall not in itself constitute grounds for negligentmalpractice.

8. Any DMSO manufactured or distributed in the state ofMissouri pursuant to the passage of sections 192.700 to 192.727shall be prominently labeled in the following manner: "Notice:The State of Missouri takes no position regarding the value ofthis product in the treatment of human illness. This product isauthorized solely for the treatment or control of rheumatoidarthritis under the supervision and direction of a licensedphysician."

(L. 1984 H.B. 1028 § 13)