Controlled Substance Updates - These were bills that were passed in the 2017 Legislative Session:
Posted over 7 years ago by Christy Lenahan
Controlled Substance Updates - Please share with your regions. These were bills that were passed in the 2017 Legislative Session:
Act 76 (SB55)
1. Upon initiation or renewal of CDS a prescriber will be automatically enrolled in the prescription monitoring program
2. The PMP should be accessed for a patient prior to prescribing a controlled substance and every 90 days if therapy continues beyond that. There are exceptions. Please read SB55 for more info.
3. At least 3 hours of CDS prescribing education will be required prior to licensure recertification. Providers who attest to NOT prescribing CDS will be omitted from this requirement.
ACT 82 (HB 192) 2017 Regular Session
1. Prohibits a medical practitioner from prescribing more than a seven-day supply when issuing a first time opioid prescription for outpatient use to an adult patient with an acute condition.
2. Prohibits a medical practitioner from issuing a prescription for more than a seven-day supply of an opioid to a minor at any time and requires the practitioner to discuss with a parent, tutor, or guardian of the minor the risks associated with opioid use and the reasons why the prescription is necessary.
3. Exempts prescriptions for more than a seven-day supply which, in the professional medical judgment of the medical practitioner, are necessary to treat the adult or minor patient's acute medical condition or are necessary for the treatment of chronic pain management, pain associated with a cancer diagnosis, or for palliative care.
4. Requires a medical practitioner to do both of the following prior to issuing a prescription for an opioid: (1) Consult with the patient regarding the quantity of the opioid and the patient's option to fill the prescription in a lesser quantity. (2) Inform the patient of the risks associated with the opioid prescribed. Please read HB192 for more info.
2. Prohibits a medical practitioner from issuing a prescription for more than a seven-day supply of an opioid to a minor at any time and requires the practitioner to discuss with a parent, tutor, or guardian of the minor the risks associated with opioid use and the reasons why the prescription is necessary.
3. Exempts prescriptions for more than a seven-day supply which, in the professional medical judgment of the medical practitioner, are necessary to treat the adult or minor patient's acute medical condition or are necessary for the treatment of chronic pain management, pain associated with a cancer diagnosis, or for palliative care.
4. Requires a medical practitioner to do both of the following prior to issuing a prescription for an opioid: (1) Consult with the patient regarding the quantity of the opioid and the patient's option to fill the prescription in a lesser quantity. (2) Inform the patient of the risks associated with the opioid prescribed. Please read HB192 for more info.
The professional judgement exemption above has the potential to pit pharmacists against physicians. This can be prevented by documenting your thought processes and plan for care on the prescription and in the patient’s medical record in a clear and concise manner.