The legislature adjourned last week. Of note, HB 21, sponsored by Rep. Jim Boyd (R), was signed by Gov. Rick Scott (R) on March 20. Included in the many provisions of the bill, effective, Sunday, July 1, specific to controlled substances, the bill requires the dispenser check the identification of unknown persons prior to dispensing. Additionally, the bill imposes a three-day supply limit with an exception for a seven-day supply if certain criteria are met, and requires that the prescriber or dispenser must consult the prescription drug monitoring system to review a patient’s controlled substance dispensing history before prescribing or dispensing a controlled substance for a patient age 16 years or older. This requirement does not apply when prescribing or dispensing a nonopioid controlled substance listed in Schedule V in Federal Regulations.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

Gov. Rick Scott (R) has declared the opioid epidemic a state of emergency in Florida (see Executive Order 17-146). In response to the opioid crisis, the Agency for Health Care Administration is implementing provisions under the Florida Medicaid program to assist in the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders. Florida Medicaid currently covers an array of behavioral health therapies and prescribed drugs to treat substance use disorders and does not limit the length of time recipients may receive treatment. You can find updated information on Medication-assisted treatment and additional changes related to prescribed drugs in the recent Provider Alert.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.