NC H165

Requires state health officials and licensing boards to adopt the North Carolina Medical Board's opioid prescribing guidelines by July 1, 2016, including the Medical Board, dental, nursing, and podiatry boards.

Mandates continuing education on controlled substance abuse for prescribers seeking license renewal, with at least one hour focused specifically on prescribing practices and chronic pain management.

Expands the Controlled Substances Reporting System (CSRS) by adding access for the DEA's Office of Diversion Control and the North Carolina Health Information Exchange, and requires connection to the interstate PMP InterConnect system by December 31, 2015.

Establishes a Prescription Drug Abuse Advisory Committee to develop and implement a statewide strategic plan with 3-5 measurable goals addressing prescriber oversight, the CSRS, Medicaid lock-in programs, and enforcement of controlled substance laws.

Improves the Medicaid lock-in program by establishing written procedures, extending lock-in duration to two years, conducting an audit, and conducting an audit within six months to evaluate program effectiveness.