 |
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fourth Legislature, Second Regular Session
opioid prescriptions; naloxone requirements; exceptions
Purpose
Exempts hospice or end-of-life care patients from naloxone hydrochloride (naloxone) prescription requirements.
Background
Laws 2018, First Special Session, Chapter 1 established supply and morphine milligram equivalency (MME) limitations for certain opioid prescriptions. Specifically, health professionals who are authorized to prescribe opioids are prohibited from issuing a new prescription order for an opioid that exceeds 90 MMEs per day, with certain exceptions. Statute allows authorized prescribing health professionals to issue a new order for an opioid prescription in excess of the 90 MME limitation for patients who are receiving end-of-life care and requires that such patients additionally be prescribed naloxone, or another opioid antagonist approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of opioid-related overdoses.
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Exempts patients who are receiving hospice or end-of-life care, and who are prescribed an opioid in excess of 90 MMEs per day, from naloxone prescription requirements.
2. Makes technical changes.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 31, 2020
CRS/kja