NJ A1593

Limits benzodiazepine and non-benzodiazepine hypnotic prescriptions to four weeks maximum unless proven medical need exists, with exemptions for long-term care facility patients.

Requires practitioners to follow slow, patient-controlled tapering protocols using the Ashton manual when discontinuing patients from these medications, allowing long-term dependent patients to remain on medication or taper at symptom-determined rates.

Mandates practitioners and pharmacists provide patients with a Department of Health cautionary pamphlet covering misuse risks, dependency, proper storage/disposal, and addiction resources, and collect signed patient consent forms before prescribing or dispensing.

Requires bold lettering labels on all benzodiazepine and non-benzodiazepine hypnotic prescriptions warning of dependence and addiction risks.

Takes effect 180 days after enactment; provisions do not apply to practitioners or pharmacists serving patients in long-term care facilities.