Bill > S2247

This bill aims to address the use of benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics, which are drugs that depress the central nervous system and are primarily used to treat insomnia, convulsions, and anxiety. The key provisions of this bill include: 1. Defining "benzodiazepine" and "non-benzodiazepine hypnotic" in the law. 2. Requiring pharmacists to include a cautionary statement on the label of these prescriptions, explaining the risks associated with long-term use. 3. Mandating the Department of Public Health to produce and distribute educational pamphlets about the misuse, abuse, dependency, and addiction risks of these drugs, as well as addiction support and treatment resources. 4. Prohibiting the refilling of written prescriptions for less than a 10-day supply of these drugs. 5. Requiring practitioners to obtain the patient's written informed consent before prescribing these drugs, with a standardized form that explains the risks. 6. Establishing a special commission to study protocols for safely discontinuing the use of these drugs and minimizing withdrawal symptoms. The overall goal of this bill is to increase awareness, regulation, and patient safety around the use of benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics.