The House of Representatives passed HB 2633, removing certain requirements included in an opioid omnibus bill, enacted earlier this year. At the federal and state levels alike, NACDS is urging policies that would help address the opioid abuse epidemic, and NACDS also points out the burdens and unintended consequences that some new proposals would create, without helping to address the epidemic. Requirements removed by HB2633 include the following:

• Pharmacists are not required to verify with the prescriber when presented with an initial prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance that contains an opioid that is written for more than a five-day supply.
• Pharmacists are not required to verify with the prescriber a prescription order for a Schedule II controlled substance that contains an opioid that is written for more than 90 morphine milligram equivalents per day.
• Pharmacists are not required to verify with a medical practitioner or the Board of Pharmacy whether the medical practitioner has received a waiver for e-prescribing of Schedule II controlled substances that contain an opioid.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

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.

Gov. Doug Ducey (R) called for a special session in January to combat the opioid crisis. The Arizona Department of Health Services has developed 12 policy recommendations to address the opioid crisis, including “requiring” e-prescribing, ending dispensing of controlled substances by prescribers, and requiring pharmacists to check the prescription drug monitoring program prior to dispensing.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.