SENATE DOCKET, NO. 317 FILED ON: 1/11/2019
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1168
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Dean A. Tran
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to informing opioid patients about the risks of addiction.
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PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: |
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Dean A. Tran | Worcester and Middlesex |
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José F. Tosado | 9th Hampden | 1/30/2019 |
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 317 FILED ON: 1/11/2019
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1168
By Mr. Tran, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1168) of Dean A. Tran and José F. Tosado for legislation to inform opioid patients about the risks of addiction. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery. |
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)
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An Act relative to informing opioid patients about the risks of addiction.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 94C of the general laws is hereby amended by striking out section 18C, as so appearing in the 2016 Official Edition, and inserting in place thereof the following section: -
Section 18C: (a) Prior to issuing a prescription for an opioid contained in Schedule II of section 3, a practitioner registered under section 7 shall: (i) consult with a the patient regarding the quantity of the opioid and a patient's option to fill the prescription in a lesser quantity; and (ii) inform the patient of the risks associated with the opioid prescribed, including but not limited to, (A) that opioids are highly addictive even when taken as prescribed, (B) the risk of developing a physical or psychological dependence on opioids (C) the risks associated with taking opioids with alcohol, sedatives, benzodiazepines and other central nervous system depressants, (D) the reasons why the prescription is necessary, and (E) alternative treatments that may be available.
(b) Once the patient has been consulted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, said practitioner shall record within the patient’s medical record that the patient has been consulted and informed of the information required by subclauses (A) through (E) of this section.