Is it illegal for a nurse practitioner to write out prescriptions for people who do not visit the office ?

I know a nurse practitioner who writes out prescriptions for her relatives and friends who don't visit the office. She is able to prescribe medicine, but don't these people have to visit the office first ? Is what she doing legal ?

A nurse practitioner can write a Rx just like a doctor can - a doctor want you to make an office visit because then he/she can charge you a lot of money. As for a nurse practitioner she/he can do it and it is legal wherever and whenever she/he wants.

Legal, yes. Ethical it depends on the situation. You can only determine this if you knew what she was prescribing and if the "patient" so to speak, in this case, her relatives, warranted such a need for them.

I would say yes

It is not alwsys necessary to visit the doctor or nurse practitioner's office to get a prescription. The legality would depend on what is being prescribed and for what conditions. It may simply be that this particular person does not need to see relatives or friends in the office because she knows their conditions.

It depends upon the law in her state relating to the practice of medicine and writing prescriptions. Many states allow prescriptions after other than in person consultations with patients.

It is not illegal. She would not prescribe medications without knowing that her relative or friend has a medical condition that requires it. You think she can not determine this without the person visiting her office? I don't understand your problem.

BTW, doctors do it also. And have done it for me without an office visit.

It depends on the state she is in. Usually, the answer is Yes. But, it is a very fact specific inquiry. If they are patients of the clinic where she works, she may be able to. If she consulted a physician at that clinic, and they are patients, then it is even more likely that she can do it.

It's illegal for a nurse to write scripts period. That is a privilege that doctors only are allowed.