The Maine Department of Health and Human Services has issued a release pointing out the details in the new statewide opioids bill which went into effective Friday.

Prescription Drugs
Getty Images
loading...

The major points covered in the bill are:

As of 7/29/2016

Unless:

  • An individual falls under one of the exceptions under Title 22, § 2210
  • It is deemed medically necessary by the prescriber and the need is documented in the patient’s chart as referenced under Title 22, § 7254

As of 1/1/2017

  • Prescribers are required to check the PMP for any new benzo or opioid prescription and recheck every 90 days thereafter
  • A patient receiving treatment for chronic pain is limited to a 30 day supply of an opioid medication
  • A patient receiving treatment for acute pain is limited to a 7 day supply of an opioid medication

As of 7/1/2017

  • Opioids must be electronically prescribed
  • Existing prescriptions for opioid medication will be limited to 100MME per day
Gov. Paul LePage signs the Opioids Act into law/Maine DHHS
Gov. Paul LePage signs the Opioids Act into law/Maine DHHS
loading...

The Department says rulemaking is underway to provide guidance for e-prescribing and to clarify exceptions.

More From