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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session
hospitals; physicians; dispensing opioids
Purpose
Allows a hospital or a health professional who is working in a hospital that is not within 50 miles of a 24-hour pharmacy to dispense a 12-hour supply of an opioid when discharging a patient with an acute illness or injury after regular pharmacy business hours.
Background
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (U. S. DEA) is the primary federal agency responsible for the enforcement of the federal Controlled Substances Act, which requires health care practitioners to apply for a U.S. DEA registration number in order to prescribe, dispense or administer controlled substances, as outlined (U.S. DEA).
It is unprofessional conduct for a licensed podiatrist, doctor of medicine, osteopathic physician or surgeon, physician assistant, registered nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist or certified nurse midwife to dispense a controlled substance or schedule II controlled substance that is an opioid. The listed health care professionals, except a podiatrist, may not dispense a schedule II controlled substance that is an opioid, except for an implantable device or a medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders (A.R.S. §§ 32-854.01; 32-1401; 32-1491; 32-1871; 32-1606; and 32-2532).
According to the U.S. DEA schedule II drugs, substances or chemicals are defined as drugs with a high potential for abuse and usage can potentially lead to severe psychological or physical dependence. Common examples of schedule II drugs include cocaine, methamphetamine, methadone, oxycodone, and fentanyl (U.S. DEA).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Allows a hospital or a health professional who is 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 when discharging a patient with an acute illness or injury after regular pharmacy business hours.
2. Defines health professional as a person who is licensed to hold a valid U.S. DEA registration number and is a licensed physician assistant or is licensed to practice podiatry, medicine, nursing-related services or osteopathic medicine.
3. Makes technical and conforming changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
HHS 2/13/23 DP 9-0-0-0
3rd Read 3/8/23 58-0-2
Prepared by Senate Research
March 17, 2023
MG/JM/slp