Bill > S1260

This bill aims to strengthen regulations around benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics, which are drugs primarily used to treat insomnia, anxiety, and other conditions. Key provisions include: 1. Defining "benzodiazepine" and "non-benzodiazepine hypnotic" in state law. 2. Requiring pharmacists to provide a cautionary label on prescriptions for these drugs, explaining the risks of long-term use. 3. Mandating the distribution of educational pamphlets about the risks of misuse, abuse, dependency, and addiction when dispensing these medications. 4. Prohibiting the refill of prescriptions for less than a 10-day supply of these drugs. 5. Requiring practitioners to obtain written informed consent from patients before prescribing these medications, which must include information on the risks. 6. Establishing a special commission to study safe protocols for discontinuing the use of these drugs and minimizing withdrawal symptoms. Overall, the bill aims to increase awareness and oversight around the use of benzodiazepines and related sleep medications in order to address concerns about misuse, abuse, and addiction.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S1260