Amends TCA Title 53 and Title 63.

This bill provides that, prior to issuing an initial prescription of a Schedule II controlled substance or another opioid pain reliever that is a prescription drug in a course of treatment for acute or chronic pain, and prior to issuing the third prescription of the course of treatment, a prescribing healthcare practitioner must discuss with the patient, or the patient's parent or guardian if the patient is under 18 and is not an emancipated minor, the risks associated with the drugs being prescribed, including the following:<br /> <br /> (1) The risks of addiction and overdose associated with opioid drugs and the dangers of taking 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) Risks associated with the use of the drugs being prescribed, specifically that opioids are highly addictive, even when taken as prescribed; that there is a risk of developing a physical or psychological dependence on the controlled substance; and that the risks of taking more opioids than prescribed, or mixing sedatives, benzodiazepines, or alcohol with opioids, can result in fatal respiratory depression. <br /> <br /> This bill requires the practitioner to include a note in the patient's medical record that the patient, or the patient's parent or guardian if the patient is under 18 and is not an emancipated minor, has discussed with the practitioner the risks of developing a physical or psychological dependence on the controlled substance and alternative treatments that may be available.<br /> <br /> However, this bill does not apply to the following:<br /> <br /> (1) A prescription for a patient who is currently in active treatment for cancer, is receiving hospice care from a licensed hospice or palliative care facility, or is a resident of a long-term care facility; or<br /> <br /> (2) Medications that are prescribed for use in the treatment of substance abuse or opioid dependence.<br /> <br /> This bill also clarifies that it does not supersede, but rather serves as a supplement to, other informed consent requirements applicable to the prescribing of Schedule II controlled substances in this state.<br />