(a) Every physician licensed to practice medicine and surgery in the State of Arkansas, within ten (10) days after the receipt or notification of a claim or filing of a lawsuit against him or her charging him or her with medical malpractice, shall notify the Arkansas State Medical Board of the claim or lawsuit. The notice shall be sent by registered letter to the office of the board and upon such forms as may be approved by the board. If the malpractice claim is in the form of a complaint in a filed lawsuit, a copy of the complaint shall be furnished to the board along with the notification required by this section.
(b) The reports required to be filed by physicians under this section shall be privileged and shall not be open for public inspection except upon order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(c) The board is authorized and directed to prepare and adopt such rules as are necessary and proper to assure compliance with the provisions of this section.