IA HSB160

Requires the Iowa Board of Medicine to amend standards of practice (653 IAC 13.2) for prescribing controlled substances in schedule I or opioid pain relievers for acute or chronic pain treatment

Mandates physicians discuss specific information with patients (or parents/guardians of minors) before issuing an initial prescription and before issuing a third prescription in the same course of treatment

Required discussion topics include: risks of addiction and overdose, dangers of mixing opioids with alcohol/benzodiazepines/CNS depressants, reasons the prescription is necessary, available alternative treatments, and risks of physical or psychological dependence

Physicians must document in the patient's medical record that the required discussion took place

Exempts patients receiving comfort care for cancer or terminal illness, hospice or palliative care patients, and those being treated for substance use disorder or opioid dependence