AZ SB1162

Health professionals may not issue new opioid prescriptions exceeding 90 morphine milligram equivalents per day outside health care institutions, with specific exemptions for cancer patients, those in hospice, end-of-life care, palliative care, and other conditions.

Patients with chronic intractable pain are exempt from the 90 MME daily limit once an established health professional-patient relationship exists and lower doses have proven ineffective.

Health professionals prescribing over 90 MME per day must first consult with a board-certified pain physician or a designated opioid assistance and referral call service, except for physicians board-certified in pain management.

Prescribers must also dispense naloxone hydrochloride or another FDA-approved opioid antagonist to any patient prescribed over 90 MME per day.

Pharmacists are not required to verify with prescribers whether prescriptions comply with dosage limits when presented; prescriptions meeting exemptions are deemed compliant.