Amends TCA Title 39; Title 53 and Title 63.

Under this bill, a practitioner has a duty to inform and discuss with a patient, or the patient’s parent or guardian if the patient is under 18 and is not an emancipated minor, the risks associated with a prescribed Schedule II controlled substance or another opioid prescription pain reliever prior to issuing the initial prescription for the medication in a course of treatment for acute or chronic pain and again prior to issuing a third prescription for the same medication during the course of treatment. Such discussion includes, but is not limited to, the following: <br /> <br /> (1) The risks of addiction and overdose associated with opioid drugs with the dangers of fatal respiratory depression when mixing opioid drugs with alcohol, benzodiazepines, and other central nervous system depressants;<br /> <br /> (2) The reasons why the prescription is necessary;<br /> <br /> (3) Alternative treatments that may be available; and <br /> <br /> (4) The risk of developing a physical or psychological dependence on the drug;<br /> <br /> After the above-mentioned duty is fulfilled, this bill requires the practitioner to include a note in the patient’s medical record indicating that the practitioner has discussed with the patient or the patient’s guardian, the risks of developing a physical or psychological dependence on the controlled substance and alternative treatments that may be available.<br /> <br /> This bill clarifies that this duty to inform does not apply to a prescription for a patient who is currently in active treatment for cancer, receiving hospice care from a licensed hospice or palliative care facility, or is a resident of a long-term care facility, or to any medications that are being prescribed for use in the treatment of substance abuse or opioid dependence.<br />