Gov. Doug Ducey (R) called a special session on January 22 to address the state’s opioid abuse crisis. On January 26, the Governor signed into law SB 1001 that rapidly moved through the legislature. Among the various pharmacy provisions in the bill are requirements for pharmacists to check the prescription drug monitoring program database for all new opioid prescriptions and to place a red cap and adhere a warning label to a prescription vial containing an opioid product. The warning label will be developed via Board of Pharmacy regulations. Beginning January 1, 2019, there will be requirements for e-prescribing of Schedule II controlled substances prescription phased in based upon population in a county with all counties in compliance by July 1, 2019.
