REQ. OPIOID ANTAGONIST ED. W/OPIOID SCRIPTS. (NEW)

Printer-friendly: Click to view
View NCGA Bill Details2021
House Bill 93 (Public) Filed Tuesday, February 16, 2021
AN ACT REQUIRING EACH HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER WHO PRESCRIBES AN OPIOID MEDICATION TO A PATIENT TO PROVIDE EDUCATION ON AND OFFER A PRESCRIPTION FOR AN OPIOID ANTAGONIST FOR THAT PATIENT UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES AND FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES.
Intro. by Sasser, Humphrey, Moffitt, Adcock.

Status: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate (Senate action) (Apr 29 2021)

SOG comments (1):

Long title change

House committee substitute to the 2nd edition changed the long title. Previous long title was AN ACT REQUIRING EACH HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER WHO PRESCRIBES AN OPIOID MEDICATION TO A PATIENT TO PRESCRIBE AN OPIOID ANTAGONIST FOR THAT PATIENT UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES AND FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES.

H 93

Bill Summaries:

  • Summary date: Apr 27 2021 - View Summary

    House committee substitute to the 2nd edition makes the following changes. Amends proposed GS 90-12.8 as follows. Adds to those practitioners excluded from the statute (1) a hospice care provider and (2) a palliative care provider. Clarifies that the practitioner must provide the education described in proposed (b) and (c) on overdose prevention and the use of an opioid antagonist if the practitioner writes a prescription for a patient for a Schedule II controlled substance and any of the already specified conditions apply. Deletes the provision that allows sanctions when a practitioner prescribes to a patient a Schedule II controlled substance and does not (1) co-prescribe an opioid antagonist prescription or (2) provide the education and use information required. Adds the requirement that a pharmacist do the following when dispensing a Schedule II controlled substance if the criteria already set out in the act are met: (1) ask the individual receiving the prescription if the individual has a prescription for an opioid antagonist and offer to fill it; (2) advise the individual that the State Health Director has issued a statewide standing order allowing the pharmacist to dispense an opioid antagonist without a specific standing order allowing the pharmacist to dispense an opioid antagonist without a prescription and offer to dispense the opioid antagonist; and (3) communicate the details of the interaction to the prescriber within 72 hours of dispensing the Schedule II controlled substance. Makes additional clarifying, technical, and conforming changes, including changing the statute's caption. Amends the act's titles. 


  • Summary date: Mar 10 2021 - View Summary

    House committee substitute amends the 1st edition as follows.

    Amends proposed GS 90-12.8, which establishes new requirements for practitioners prescribing Schedule II controlled substances identified in GS 90-90(1), including opium, opiates, and opioids. Excludes from the statute's requirements veterinarians, animal hospitals, and veterinary practices.


  • Summary date: Feb 16 2021 - View Summary

    Enacts GS 90-12.8 to establish new requirements for practitioners prescribing Schedule II controlled substances identified in GS 90-90(1), which includes opium, opiates, and opioids. When writing a prescription for a patient for a Schedule II controlled substance identified in GS 90-90(1), requires co-prescribing an FDA approved drug for complete or partial reversal of opioid-induced respiratory depression, and documenting such in the patient's medical record, if: (1) the prescription dosage is for 50 or more morphine milligram equivalents of an opioid medication per day; (2) the Schedule II controlled substance is prescribed concurrently with a prescription for benzodiazepine; or (3) the patient presents with an increased risk for overdose as evidenced by but not limited to a history of overdose or substance use disorder. Requires providing the patient and one or more persons designated by the patient, or if the patient is a minor, to the minor's parent, guardian, or person standing in loco parentis, with education on overdose prevention and the use of the FDA-approved opioid antagonist, consistent with the existing standard of care. Permits referral to the appropriate licensing board for administrative sanctions practitioners who prescribe a Schedule II controlled substance identified in GS 90-90(1) and fail to co-prescribe an opioid antagonist prescription, or fail to provide the required education and use information. Specifies that the act does not create a private right of action against a practitioner who fails to follow these requirements, and also does not limit a practitioner's liability for negligent diagnosis or treatment. Effective October 1, 2021.