ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-sixth Legislature

First Regular Session

House: HHS DP 9-0-0-0

HB2564: hospitals; physicians; dispensing opioids

Sponsor: Representative Shah, LD 5

House Engrossed

Overview

Allows hospitals or health professionals working in a hospital, that is not within 50 miles of a 24-hour pharmacy to dispense a 12-hour supply of a schedule II-controlled substance that is an opioid to a discharged patient with an acute illness or injury after regular pharmacy hours.

History

Physician is defined as a licensed Doctor of Medicine. A Doctor of Medicine means a natural person holding a license, registration or permit to practice medicine.

A Doctor of Medicine may dispense drugs and devices kept by the doctor if:

1) all drugs are dispensed in packages with labels containing certain information;

2) the dispensing doctor enters into the patient's medical record the name, strength and therapeutic reason for the drug dispensed and the date dispensed;

3) the dispensing doctor keeps all drugs in a locked cabinet or room, controls access to the cabinet or room by written procedure and maintains an ongoing inventory of its contents; and

4) the doctor registers with the board to dispense drugs and devices and pays the registration fee.

Currently, it is considered unprofessional conduct to dispense a schedule II-controlled substance that is an opioid. A Doctor of Medicine may not dispense a schedule II-controlled substance that is an opioid, except for an implantable device or an opioid that is for medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders.

Dispense means the delivery by a Doctor of Medicine of a prescription drug or device to a patient, except for samples packaged for individual use by licensed manufacturers or repackages of drugs and includes the prescribing, administering, packaging, labeling and security necessary to prepare and safeguard the drug or device for delivery (A.R.S. §§ 32-1401 and 32-1491).

Provisions

1. States that a hospital or a health professional working in a hospital that is not within 50 miles of a 24-hour pharmacy, when discharging a patient with an acute illness or injury after regular pharmacy business hours, may dispense a 12-hour supply of a schedule II-controlled substance that is an opioid to the patient. (Sec. 6)

2. Defines health professional. (Sec. 6)

3. Makes technical changes and conforming changes. (Sec. 1-6)

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7. HB 2564

8. Initials AG/KM Page 0 House Engrossed

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