OH HB378

Amends prescriber limits on personally furnishing controlled substances to patients, setting a 2,500 dosage unit cap per 30-day period and restricting 72-hour furnishings to amounts necessary for patient use in that period, with fines up to $5,000 for violations.

Exempts methadone and buprenorphine provided for treating drug dependence or addiction from the dosage limits, with buprenorphine specifically requiring the provider to be part of an opioid treatment program certified by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration that distributes both buprenorphine and methadone.

Requires business entities to obtain a terminal distributor of dangerous drugs license beginning April 1, 2015 to possess or distribute controlled substances containing buprenorphine used for treating drug dependence or addiction, or dangerous drugs that are compounded.

Establishes criminal penalties for violating prescriber limits: misdemeanor of the first degree for initial violations and felony of the fifth degree for subsequent violations of section 4729.291(C).

Directs the State Medical Board to adopt rules establishing standards and procedures for physicians using schedule III, IV, or V controlled substances to treat opioid dependence or addiction, with discretion to limit application by practice type or location.