Bill > S1236

This bill aims to address the issues surrounding benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics, which are prescription drugs primarily used to treat insomnia, anxiety, and other conditions. The key provisions of the bill include: 1. Defining "benzodiazepine" and "non-benzodiazepine hypnotic" in the state's controlled substances law. 2. Requiring pharmacists to include a cautionary statement on the label of benzodiazepine and non-benzodiazepine hypnotic prescriptions, highlighting 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 resources, for pharmacists to provide to patients. 4. Prohibiting the refilling of benzodiazepine or non-benzodiazepine hypnotic prescriptions for less than a 10-day supply. 5. Requiring healthcare practitioners to obtain written informed consent from patients before prescribing these drugs, which must include information on misuse, abuse, dependency, and long-term risks. 6. Directing the Department of Public Health to establish protocols for safely discontinuing the use of these drugs and minimizing withdrawal symptoms, while prohibiting practitioners from discontinuing a patient's prescription in a manner inconsistent with the established regulations. 7. Establishing a special commission to study protocols for safely discontinuing the use of these drugs and minimizing withdrawal symptoms, with a report due within 4 months of the bill's effective date.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S1236