HB 344 Summary

• Establishes maximum opiate prescription limits of 7-day supply for initial prescriptions to adult patients and all prescriptions to minors, with exceptions for acute conditions, chronic pain management, cancer-related pain, palliative care, and patients unable to access practitioners due to logistical barriers.

• Applies opiate dosage restrictions to dentists, physicians, nurses (advanced nurse practitioners), and optometrists, making violations grounds for professional discipline.

• Expands the controlled substance prescription database to include Schedule II, III, and IV controlled substances and requires pharmacists and practitioners dispensing these substances to register with the database.

• Requires pharmacists and practitioners to review prescription database records before dispensing more than a 3-day supply of Schedule II, III, or IV controlled substances, with exemptions for inpatient, emergency, and immediate post-surgery settings.

• Creates an automated alert system in the database to notify pharmacists and practitioners when patients receive controlled substance prescriptions in quantities or frequencies inconsistent with recognized dosage standards.