SB115 Summary

• Amends Alabama's Controlled Substances Prescription Database by establishing an Advisory Committee with representatives from medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary, hospital, and other professional organizations to consult on database establishment, maintenance, access, and security.

• Permits Advisory Committee members to participate in meetings via conference telephone, video conference, or similar communications equipment, with participation counting as physical presence and allowing public observation.

• Specifies that licensed pharmacies, mail order pharmacies, and practitioners (physicians, dentists, podiatrists, optometrists, veterinarians) must report controlled substance prescriptions (Classes II-V) to the department in designated format and data elements.

• Clarifies database access for authorized users including certifying boards, licensed practitioners, pharmacists, law enforcement, other state prescription drug monitoring programs, and Alabama Medicaid Agency, each with specified limitations on available information.

• Declares database information privileged and confidential, not subject to subpoena in civil proceedings, and usable only for investigatory, evidentiary, or regulatory purposes; establishes an Alabama State Controlled Substance Database Trust Fund for deposits from grants, donations, federal matching funds, and appropriations.